According to the American Gemological Laboratory (AGL) at a meeting held in New York recently, it was decided that to apply the term “heating residue” in place of the term “flux-type enhancement”, when identifying the type of treatment used for rubies, when the rubies are heated for colour modifications and d heal fissures. The lab decided also to use the term “composite ruby” when distinguishing lead glass-treated rubies from regular heated rubies.

An additional change made is concerning the formation of a gem’s country of origin. Where the origin is not fully established the considered country of origin will not be mentioned, Only where it is fully established will it be included. The Lab is going to update all its reports since the re-privatisation on April the 1st and there will be no additional or extra costs for this.

It is reported The lab had closed shop last year, when Collectors universe, its previous owner moved out of the gem-grading business. At present, AGL president, Chris Smith reopened the lab on April 1 reports say. The lab believes the changes incorporated in its terminology will make the reports easier to understand and avoid confusion.

In addition, according to Dr. Jayshree Panjikar, of the Pangem Testing Laboratory,Pune, it would not be a good idea to write “Composite Ruby” for a lead glass filled natural ruby as the term composite would mean even a doublet made of natural ruby for crown and synthetic ruby for pavilion portion. A better term for a heavily glass-filled/treated ruby would be a “Reconstructed Ruby”.

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 11:18 am