RE: Irradiated gemstones

["Lamothe, Emelie" <lamothee@aecl.ca>]

I believe there are some naturally blue topaz stones, but they are not the
slate blue that irradiation makes them.  I saw a topaz rock with a variety
of colours from a huge portion of white (which is what they irradiate to
slate blue) to pale yellow to the typical golden "topaz" colour to green and
blue in a turquoise shade. 

If I remember correctly, there was at some point an attempt to colour
diamonds--or maybe that was to clear diamonds of colour--I can't quite
remember.  Topaz was the most successful of the irradiations. 

Emelie Lamothe
lamothee@aecl.ca

> ----------
> From: 	KENNETH THOMPSON[SMTP:KTHOMPSO@DEQ.STATE.ID.US]
> Reply To: 	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> Sent: 	Wednesday January 26, 2000 1:53 PM
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: 	Re: Irradiated gemstones
> 
> I worked in the jewelery business for 9 years and as of a year ago blue
> topaz was a gemstone still being color enhanced by irradation.   There are
> other gemstones currently being color enhanced by irradation which are
> saphires, and garnets.  If you have any questions you may cantact me at
> kthompso@deq.state.id.us
> 
> ************************************************************************
> The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
> 
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html