GEMSTONE CARE
There are three things extremely hard:
steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Here in our little jewel factory, we are particularly fond of all things lucid.
We send only our most valiant and veracious stone seekers to procure a wide array of resplendent gems from across (and inside of) our dear globe. Sometimes they return from their quest almost as they left, other times without sanity or scruples they return… and wretchedly on occasion they come back to us a different creature all together. However, they never reappear empty handed, for the acquisition of impeccable stones is paramount to all of us serving under JdV’s ordinance.
Some of our gems are the most mighty minerals know to man, others are somewhat sensitive and may require particular precaution.
This little guide is designed to aid you in selecting and caring for your JdV gem set jewels.
GEMSTONE ENHANCEMENT
For nearly four thousand years gemstones have been enhanced using various methods. Pre-dating modern stone-cutting techniques, heat, oils and dyes were used to enhance, or alter the colour of certain gems.
Modern technology has produced ingenious new methods of gemstone enhancement. Many of these processes are difficult to detect and may involve various materials that are virtually unidentifiable, even with the most advanced scientific equipment. This has provoked debates concerning what is and isn’t acceptable in gemstone enhancement.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMMONLY USED ENHANCEMENTS
The use of chemicals or other agents to lighten or create a more uniform colour.
The use of chemicals and high temperatures to produce or improve colour.
The introduction of colouring agents into a gemstone to enhance or alter colour.
The use of heat to alter the colour and/or clarity of a gemstone.
The filling of a gem material with a coloured or colourless substance such as oil, wax, resin or glass to improve the gemstone’s appearance.
The application of wax, resin or oil to a porous gemstone to improve durability and beauty.
The use of laboratory radiation to alter a gemstone’s colour. Usually followed by a heating process.
The use of a colourless resin or a proprietary process without a resin to decrease porosity and improve durability and colour.
OUR GEMSTONE ENHANCEMENT POLICY
Our gemstones are selected for quality, rarity, beauty and durability. JdV choses gems that meet her specific ideals for colour, clarity and cut and only accepts enhancements that are solely meant to improve the beauty of the stone.
We do not use any enhancement that increases a stone’s carat weight or that masks the potential durability of a gemstone.
Enhancements accepted by us have good stability unless otherwise noted on our Gemstone Care & Enhancement Chart.
Our white diamonds have not been subjected to any enhancements, other than cutting and polishing.
Some gemstones require more care than others. Please refer to the guidelines in our Gemstone Care & Enhancement Chart to help ensure that your JdV jewellery will be worn for generations to come.
You may visit our GEMSTONE CARE & ENHANCEMENT CHART here