Gemstone Enhancements

The Met Store's Colored Stones

Nearly all colored stones sold at jewelers or specialty retailers, including those sold at The Met Store, are enhanced or treated by way of various techniques, many of which have been used for centuries. Our jewelry designs feature colored stones sourced through approved manufacturers with any or all of the following treatments and enhancements, in accordance with acceptable industry standards:

• Bleaching: The application of chemicals or other agents to lighten or remove color.
• Coating: The process of applying a thin layer of material such as wax, resin, or oil to the surface of a porous colored stone to protect its natural substance and improve the stone’s appearance.
• Diffusion: The use of high temperatures and chemicals to allow penetration of color-causing elements.
• Dyeing: The act of adding coloring agents to enhance, even out, or alter a stone's color.
• Heat treatment: The application of heat to change a stone's appearance.
• Infusion: The centuries-old practice of filling a gemstone with oil, wax, glass, resin, or other material (colored or colorless) to improve the stone's appearance.
• Irradiation: The use of radiation to change or improve a stone's color.
• Reconstitution: The compressing and forming of small chips of colored stones with plastic resin and/or colorant to achieve color consistency, durability, and a desired shape.
• Additional technologies: Techniques for enhancing colored stones, detectable or otherwise, are continually being developed.