heat treatment, corundum, gems

Of all the issues facing the gem trade today, perhaps none is of greater importance than the issue of treatment disclosure. Rhetoric on this issue has spilled forth from trade publications at a furious pace over the past several years. Rather than bringing clarity to the situation, though, this has merely served to muddy the waters, with the result that many are more confused than ever. This article is an attempt to clarify the subject. We will not pretend, however, to speak for both sides of the debate, for we are firmly in favor of full disclosure of all treatments, without exception. We will, however, try to present some of the arguements of those against disclosure.