The point concerning uniform production standards is crucial to the wider acceptance of coloured gemstones as an alternative investment. Gemstones have historically been enhanced in order to improve their lustre and appearance links of london sale. The methods employed range from the use of dyes and pigments to heat treatments and irradiation. While they invariably lead to improvements from an aesthetic viewpoint, the techniques have become so refined that even seasoned experts can often find it difficult to spot them. These ‘improvements’ are problematic for investors as it is the pure, untreated stones that command premium prices. Indeed, in order to confirm it had not been subjected to enhancements Links of London Charms, the Graff Ruby had to be certified by the laboratory of the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones. And while legislation is in place to compel sellers to disclose the provenance of their gemstones, the widespread abuse of these techniques has undermined investor confidence Links of London Necklaces.
Fair trade implications
The enhancement problems actually overlap with the more commonly known fair trade issues. This phenomenon is projected to play an increasing role in gemstone markets. High-profile media campaigns and Oscar-nominated films such as Blood Diamond have brought home to the wider consumer market the deplorable conditions under which many stones are recovered.
A number of integrated producers and distributors are now in operation and, if the market for fair trade gemstones develops at the same rate as other commodities such as coffee Links of London Bracelets, then the industry as a whole will have to take notice. Sales of Fair Trade products grew by 38 per cent in the US over the course of 2007.