Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) Lab, a project of the GJEPC that provides independent quality assessment of gemstones & jewellery, has updated description for ruby treatments to harmonise with major gemmological laboratories, maintaining highest levels of scientific analysis and transparency.
IIGJ’s Ruby Identification service is availed by gemstone manufacturers, traders, and retailers. Rubies are commonly heated using substances like fluxes (e.g. borax), which often is mixed with silica-based materials or high-density glass containing elements like lead (Pb), bismuth (Bi), barium (Ba), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), etc. Under the current policy all these components are mentioned separately, which is now updated to reflect more unified and simplified descriptions on the ruby reports issued by the IIGJ Lab.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “GJEPC is committed to serve India’s gem & jewellery industry by providing world-class grading, identification & certification services. Jaipur is an important centre for coloured gemstones and is growing rapidly as a jewellery manufacturing centre. We believe the revised description of treatment in Ruby Reports will become important sales tool for the coloured gemstone industry to gain the confidence of consumers. We continue to invest in building skills and lab infrastructure to meet the growing needs.”
Following are the updated description / treatment comments mentioned on the ruby reports issued by IIGJ Lab:
| Treatment Type and Features | Description |
| – Indications of heating with residues and silica-based substance in fissures or,
– high-density glass (Pb, Ba, Bi, Y, Zr) in fissures where no flash effect is observed |
Var.: Natural Ruby
Spe.: Natural Corundum
Comments: Indications of heating and clarity enhancement with residue in fractures and cavities. Extent: (TE1-TE5) / (F1-F3) – as applicable
Remarks (if lead is detected): Lead glass was detected.
|
| Presence of High-density glass in fissures / cavities with flash effect, numerous gas bubbles, indistinct single crystal
|
Var.: Glass-Filled Ruby
Spe.: Natural Corundum
Comments: Indications of clarity enhancement by lead/bismuth/barium glass in fractures and cavities.
No quantification in this case
|
| High density coloured glass in fissures with flash effect, numerous gas bubbles, colour concentrations
|
Var.: Glass-Filled Ruby / Sapphire
Spe.: Natural Corundum
Comments: Indications of clarity enhancement with coloured glass in fractures and cavities
No quantification in this case
|