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 Post subject: Heat treatment of Apatite
PostPosted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:33 pm 
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Is Apatite routinely heat treated to bring out the Paraiba type colors?

Jason


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 12:54 pm 
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Apatite occurs naturally in several fabulous colors, without undergoing any treatments. The GIA, in their Gem Reference Guide, lists: NO COMMERCIAL TREATMENTS KNOWN:
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Recently, I have noticed several companies Like "Jewelry TV" and the "Home Shopping Network" indicating that their apatite has been heat treated.
As far back as the Summer of 1990, it was reported that untreated apatite found in Madagascar had a strong resemblence to Paraiba tourmaline. (G&G 1991 & G&G 1993) It was also reproted that it was not extensively cut because it was extremely sensitive to thermal shock. The heat from the cutting wheels often caused it to shatter!
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Anyone else heard additional info?


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:41 pm 
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Thanks Barbra.

The reason I asked is because I was checking out the Apatite at AJS gems and nearly all of their stock is noted as having been heated. I had not heard of this treatment being applied to Apatite before.

Jason


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 Post subject: Re: Heat treatment of Apatite
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 6:03 am 
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Have you never seen these color?
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Nov12ApatitePage.htm
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 Post subject: Re: Heat treatment of Apatite
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:14 am 
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Actually I have heard over the years that blue apatite is indeed the result of treatment. I don't know the specifics.
Anyone?


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 Post subject: Re: Heat treatment of Apatite
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:39 pm 
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I researched this 6-7 years ago and found many references to heat treatment of Mada apatite. I list it as heated on my website.

This article was one I found: http://www.jckonline.com/article/288597-Apatite.php

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Rick Martin

www.artcutgems.com


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