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SYMBOLS FOR SPECIFIC FORM OF ENHANCEMENT
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B BLEACHING:
The use of heat,
light and/or other agents to lighten or remove a gemstone's color.
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HP HEAT &
PRESSURE:
The use of heat and
pressure combined to effect desired alterations of color and/or clarity.
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C COATING:
The use of such
surface enhancements as laquering, enameling,
inking, foiling, or sputtering of films to improve appearance, provide
color, or add other special effects.
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I IMPREGNATION:
The impregnation of
a porous gemstone with a colorless agent (usually plastic) to give it
durability and improve appearance.
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D DYEING:
The introduction of
coloring matter into a gemstone
to give it new color, intensify present color or improve
color uniformity.
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L LASERING:
The use of a laser
and chemicals to reach and alter
inclusions in diamonds.
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F FILLING:
The filling of
surface-breaking cavities or fissures
with colorless glass, plastic, solidified borax or similar
substances, which are visible under properly illuminated
10X magnification. This process will improve durability, appearance, and/or
add weight.
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O OILING/RESIN
INFUSION:
The filling of
surface-breaking fissures with colorless oil,
wax, resin, or other colorless substances, except glass or
plastic, to improve the gemstone’s appearance.
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H HEATING:
The use of heat to
effect desired alteration of color,
clarity, and/or phenomena (Residue of foreign
substances in open fractures is not visible under
properly illuminated 10X magnification).
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R IRRADIATION:
The use of neutrons
requiring an environmental safety
release from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Gamma and/or electron
bombardment to alter a gemstone’s color. The irradiation may be followed by
a heating process.
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U DIFFUSION:
The use of chemicals
in conjunction with high temperatures to produce color and/or
asterism-producing inclusions.
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W WAXING/OILING:
The impregnation of
a colorless wax, paraffin, and oil in porous opaque or transluscent
gemstones to improve appearance.
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