Enhancement of gems

Processes which alter the appearance of a gemstone are known in the jewlers' trade as enhancements. While some treatments, such as irradiation, are strictly modern many enhancements of gemstones date back to ancient times.

Traditional enhancments:

• cutting & polishing (not strictly an enhancement in the traditional sense, but will be considered here none-the-less)
• dyeing (see also the entry on agate)
• heat treating
• oiling
• waxing

Modern enhancements:

• improved heat treating
• reconstitution
• irradiation