ADiscussiononRubyGlass Composites&TheirPotentialImpact ontheNomenclatureinusefor FractureFilledorClarityEnhanced stonesinGeneral

KennethScarratt GIALaboratory,Bangkok (FirstlimitedLMHCdistributionFebruary2008)

Introduction
Theassociationofrubywithtreatmentsthatresultinanadditionofglasstothefinal product began in 1984 with the appearance on the market of Thai origin rubies in which cavities had been filled with glass (Kane, 1984, Scarratt, et al., 1984) a treatmentthathadevolvedintoglasscrackfillingby1987(Hughes,1987,Scarratt, 1987).In1992withthediscoveryofcorundumdepositsintheareaofMongHsu, Burma(Myanmar)thatrequiredhightemperaturefluxheatingregimestobringthe material to market the association of ruby treatments and glass was dramatically expanded(Hlaing,1993,Kremkow,1993,Laughter,1993,Peretti,1993,Smith,etal., 1994). Twenty years after the first association a new rubyglass association a new formofglassfracturefillinginrubyappearedonthemarket(GAAJ,2004,Pardieu, 2005,SmithC.P.,2005,McClure,2006). Pardieu (Pardieu, 2005) noted that some terminology problems may occur about this treatment regarding to the Lead Glass definition as many different formulas canbeused:Pureleadoxide,leadoxidesmixedwithsilicaorfluxeslikeboraxcanbe encountered Temperatures, parameters and result can be very different. Some specificstudieswillprobablybedoneinthefutureregardingtothisissue. Pardieu (Pardieu, 2005) also witnessed the treatment procedure as performed in Chantaburi, Thailand by Master Burner Mahiton Thondisuk and reported that the most suitable rubies for repair are stones with color potential and that are rich in fissures. He stated further that this new treatment is performed currently mostly

on Andilamena rubies (Madagascar) on which Mr. Thondisuk has had extensive experiencebutanyrubymaterialwithfissurescouldberepaired.Itisamultistep treatmentinvolvingsimpleheatingandtheuseofdifferentleadrichcompoundsto fillthefissuresandcavitiesofthestones.Ifmostoftherepairedstonesseenwere largesizestones,stoneslessthan1carathavealsobeentreatedthisway. WhilePardieudidalludetowidetractsofglasscrossingthesurfaceofexampleshe examined in 2004 5 until recently (early 2008) the material observed in laboratories 1 had an equivalence to treatments applied to clarity enhance emeralds (with the use of resins and oils) and diamonds (glass) and therefore the terminologyusedwasadaptedfromthese,i.e.,minor,moderateorsignificantclarity enhancement. In reality the vast majority fell into the significant clarity enhancement category although as McClure (McClure, 2006) points out the efficiencyofthetreatmentissuchthatasinglelargefractureinanotherwiseclean rubycouldbemadetodisappeartotheunaidedeyeexactlyasfilledfracturescan be made to disappear in emeralds and diamonds. In fact, we have already seen several stones that fall into this category. Further and following stability tests laboratories within the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC) 2 added Glass filler may be unstable to elevated temperatures and to chemical agents.Specialcareshallbetakenwhenrepairingjewelryitemssetwithglassfilled corundum.Duringjewelryrepairtheunmountingofsuchstonesisrecommendedto reportsonthesestones. During a meeting of the LMHC held October 18th 20th 2007 in New York City, Dr. PornsawatWathanakul(ScientificAdvisortotheGITmember)reopeneddiscussions on glass fracture filling in ruby. Several members had noted myriads of large gas bubbleswithinthenewermaterialbeingsubmittedtotheirlaboratoriesandthatin many cases the glass was filling wide seams crossing facets and seemed to be accounting for an ever increasing volume of the finished product. Further, it was surmised from observation that the materialwas being held together by the glass, i.e.theglassactinginsimilarmannertoanadhesive.Followingdiscussionsandan agreementthatthistreatmentwentbeyondwhatmightberegardedasafracture fillingorclarityenhancementprocess,thegroupdecidedtodescribethis(heavily treated)materialasrubyglasscomposites onallfutureidentificationreports. FurtheronNovember13th2007AmericanGemLaboratories(AGL)announcedthat they were changing their reporting policies with regards these stones (AGL, 2007) and indicated that their report wording henceforth would be Identification: CompositeRuby,Standardenhancement:Heat,andAdditionalenhancement:Lead glass.TheyalsoindicatedafurthercommentwouldbeaddedThisrubyhasbeen heavilytreatedusingahighrefractiveindexleadglasstofillfracturesandcavities,
Comparedwiththeprevalenceinthemarketrelativelyfewofthesestoneshavebeensubmittedto laboratoriesforreports. 2 The members of the LMHC are; AGTAGemological Testing Center (USA), CISGEM (Italy), GAAJ Laboratory(Japan),GIAGemTradeLaboratory(USA),GITGemTestingLaboratory(Thailand),Gbelin GemLab(Switzerland),SSEFSwissGemmologicalInstitute(Switzerland)
1

vastly improving the apparent clarity and potentially adding weight. The glass may bedamagedbyavarietyofsolvents. Thispaperdescribesseveralrubiestreatedwithglassandexperimentscarriedout at GIA Laboratory (Bangkok) and at GIA New York that demonstrate the LMHC assumptionthatthestonesarebeingbondedtogetherbyglass.Asanimplication oftheseexperimentsandgiventhatseveralgemstones(ruby,emeraldanddiamond being the most often cited but others including tourmaline and quartz being not uncommon)areclarityenhancedthroughtheinfusionoffractureswithoils,resins and glass, the paper also introduces new (February 2008) nomenclature for describing stones that have been clarity enhanced and those that are clearly composites.

Materials and Methods

Samples (Figure 1) were sourced on the Bangkok market between November 12th and23rd2007.Theytotaled40roughuntreated,70 3 roughtreated,and116faceted. Fromthissamplegroup15facetedstoneswereselectedforaciddisintegrationtests, theserangedinsizefrom0.97ctto23.86ct(Table1).Thevastmajorityoftherough materialwasopaqueheavilytwinnedandconsiderablyfracturedtotheextentthatit wouldhavebeendifficultifnotimpossibletocutintofacetedmaterial.Thesurfaces ofthetreatedrough(thistreatmentisnormallyappliedtotheroughmaterial)was covered in a smooth, often thick coating of glass The faceted samples appeared reasonably translucent to transparent and varied in color from pink, pinkish red throughredandorangishred.

Moreroughwasobtainedastreatedsamplesbutwaslatercutandthesestonesareincludedinthe cutspecimenlist.

Figure1:Someofthespecimensusedforthisreport.Theroughspecimensontheleftrepresentthe startingmaterial,thespecimenstopandrightrepresentthetreatedrough,andthespecimensat centerarecutfromthetreatedrough.

The material was examined using Gemolite microscopes in the magnifications rangingfrom10to60xandphotomicrographsrecordeddigitallyusingNikonsystem SMZ1500withaNikonDigitalSightCaptureSystemandavarietyofmagnifications. Fluorescence images were recorded using the DiamondView (The Diamond TradingCompany).ThechemistryoftheglasswasdeterminedwithThermoXSeries II LAICPMS system with an attached New Wave Research UP213 laser. Acid disintegrationtestswerecarriedoutusingconc.50%hydrofluoricacid(HF=20)at roomtemperatureandwithnoorlittleagitation,inanisolatedenvironmentunder anappropriatefumehood.

Figure2:Arackholdingindividualplastictubesthatheldthespecimensthatunderwentacid disintegration.Thestoneswereplacedintothetubesandthencoveredwithhydrofluoricacid 4 sealedandlefttosoakforfromtwototendays.

Inclusion observations
Figure 1 through to Figure 9 shows the typical remaining natural inclusions in the facetedtreatedstones.Silkintheformoffineintersectingneedlesbothinisolated clusters and as part of hexagonal zones were often present as were crystals and negative crystals. None of these inclusions revealed any indications that they had beensubjecttoheating,atleastabove1300C.Thereforeitissurmisedthatanyheat involveinthistreatmentprocessshouldbebelow1300C.ThusconfirmingPardieus observations (Pardieu, 2005) the stones are warmed. In fact, this step is a heat treatment. This step is important to remove the impurities possibly present in the fissures that could create some problems when the glass is added. The heat treatment may also by itself improve the stone color. This warming can be conducted at different temperatures from 900C to 1400C depending on the ruby type.As900Cisnothotenoughtomeltsomeinclusionsasrutile,manystonescan stillhaveanunheatedaspect.Butallstonesareheated. The natural inclusion scenes were largely indicative of some East African and Madagascarsources.

Note:Hydrofluoricacidisdangerousandshouldonlybeusedundercontrolledconditions

Figure3:Rutileneedles(silk)in arubyglasscomposite;thesilk isunalteredbyheating

Figure4:Anhexagonalcrystalin Figure5:Rutileneedles(silk)in arubyglasscomposite;the arubyglasscomposite:thesilk crystalisunalteredbyheating isunalteredbyheating

Figure6:Rutileandother needlesinarubyglass composite:theneedlesare unalteredbyheating

Figure7:Anhexagonalcrystalin Figure8:Rutileneedles(silk)in arubyglasscomposite:the anhexagonalformationina crystalisunalteredbyheating rubyglasscomposite:thesilkis unalteredbyheating

Figure9Acrystalinarubyglass composite:thecrystalis unalteredbyheating

Alsoincludedwerecopiousnumbersofbothfattenedandfullyexpanded(Figure10 toFigure16)gasbubbleswithinthetractsofglassineachofthetreatedstones.In many cases the bubbles were so large and/or so prolific that the observers first thoughtsstrayedtowardsaconclusionthatthestonewasalowqualityglassrather thansomethingassociatedwithruby.Thetractsofglassalsowereresponsiblefor the obvious color flashes (Figure 17 to Figure 19) that were visible even to the unaidedeye.Thesecolorflashesbeinginstarkcontrasttosomewhatdifficulttosee colorflashesthathavebeentreatedinthesamemannerbuttoalesserdegree. Inonecasethemicroscoperevealedthattheglassbeingusedhasanorangecolor (Figure20toFigure24).SuchorangecoloredglassisdescribedbyPardieu(Pardieu, 2005)werehestatesInrubiesenhancedinBangkokbyOrangeSapphirecompany, someyellowtoorangecolorconcentrationappearsislargefissuresandincavities. AstatementsupportedbyimagesthatcomparewellwithFigure20toFigure24.He further states The fact that lead glass used in most Chantaburi treatment is pink explainswhyitismostofthetimenotvisibleinsidethegem.

 Glassrelatedinclusionsobservedinsomeoftherubyglasscompositesexaminedfor thisreport

Figure10:RGC001flattened bubbleswithinfilledfractures

Figure11:RGC005expanded bubbleswithinfilledfractures

Figure12:RGC006flattened bubbledwithinfilledfractures

Figure13:Flattenedbubbles withinfilledfractures

Figure14:RGC007flattenedand Figure15:RGC007flattenedand expandedbubbleswithinfilled expandedbubbleswithinfilled fractures fractures

Figure16:Bubbleswithinfiled fractures

Figure17:RGC008colorflashed fromrevealingtheglassfilled fractures

Figure18:RGC011colorflashed fromrevealingtheglassfilled fractures

Figure19:RGC001colorflashed fromrevealingtheglassfilled fractures

Figure20:RGC015orangeglass fillingacavityand fracture.Figure21toFigure24 showthisindifferentlighting conditions

Figure21:RGC015orangeglass fillingacavityand fracture.Figure20toFigure24 showthisindifferentlighting conditions

Figure22:RGC015orangeglass fillingacavityand fracture.Figure20toFigure24 showthisindifferentlighting conditions

Figure23:RGC015orangeglass fillingacavityand fracture.Figure20toFigure24 showthisindifferentlighting conditions

Figure24:RGC015orangeglass fillingacavityand fracture.Figure21toFigure23 showthisindifferentlighting conditions

Fluorescenceobservations
In an attempt to further categorize (visually) the volume of glass used in theruby glass composites, 15 of the samples were examined and images recorded with the DiamondView (Diamond Trading Company). These images are produced here fromFigure25toFigure39.Thisexercisewasrewardinginthatitquicklyrecorded images that allowed for a close estimation of the position and volume of glass present in each stone. In particular stones RGC011 and RGC015 revealed copious amountsofglass. DiamondView (Diamond Trading Company) images of specimens RGC001 to RGC015.Glassrevealsitselfaseitherblackorbluetractsrunningacrosseachstone. The brighter red areas reflect the positions of gas bubbles. Sample numbers are givenforeachstone.

Figure25:RGC001

Figure26:RGC002

Figure27:RGC003

Figure28:RGC004

Figure29:RGC005

Figure30:RGC006

Figure31:RGC007

Figure32:RGC008

Figure33:RGC009

Figure34:RGC010

Figure35:RGC011

Figure36:RGC012

Figure37:RGC013

Figure38:RGC014

Figure39:RGC015

Surfacereflectionrelatedobservations
Probablythemostconvenientmethodforlocatingfracturesthatmay(ormaynot) havebeenfilledwithanysubstanceistopositionanoverheadlightandafaceton thesampleinamannerthatachievesneartotalsurfacereflection(NTSF)ofthelight fromthefacetunderexamination.Thestone,beingexaminedonamicroscope,is then turned to achieve NTSF from each facet. In a position of NTSR any inhomogeneity (whether a change in substance, a cavity or a surface reaching fractures)becomesclearlyvisible. Figure 40 to Figure 63 show various facets on the selected 15 test specimens (RGC001RGC015)inNTSF.Allclearlyshowthepresenceglassintractscrossingthe stone(Figure52toFigure57),manyrevealaveritablejigsawpuzzleofrubyandglass (Figure 40 to Figure 51) while others show facets that have an approximate 50/50 rubyglasscomposition(Figure61).

Figure40:RGC007thisNTSR imageofthetablefacetreveals avirtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure41:RGC007(magnified fromFigure40)thisNTSRimage ofthetablefacetrevealsa virtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure42:RGC007(magnified fromFigure41)thisNTSRimage ofthetablefacetrevealsa virtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure43:RGC010asinRGC007 thisNTSRimageofthetable facetalsorevealsavirtual jigsawpuzzleofglassandruby islandsofrubyinaglassmatrix

Figure44:RGC010(magnified fromFigure43)asinRGC007 thisNTSRimageofthetable facetalsorevealsavirtual jigsawpuzzleofglassandruby islandsofrubyinaglassmatrix

Figure45:RGC010(magnified fromFigure44)asinRGC007 thisNTSRimageofthetable facetalsorevealsavirtual jigsawpuzzleofglassandruby islandsofrubyinaglassmatrix

Figure46:RGC011asinRGC007 andRGC010thisNTSRimageof thetablefacetalsorevealsa virtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure47:RGC011(magnified fromFigure46)asinRGC007 andRGC010thisNTSRimageof thetablefacetalsorevealsa virtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure48:RGC011(magnified fromFigure47)asinRGC007 andRGC010thisNTSRimageof thetablefacetalsorevealsa virtualjigsawpuzzleofglass andrubyislandsofrubyina glassmatrix

Figure49:RGC006asin RGC007,RGC010and RGC011thisNTSRimageofthe tablefacetalsorevealsavirtual jigsawpuzzleofglassandruby islandsofrubyinaglassmatrix

Figure50:RGC006(magnified fromFigure49)asinRGC007, RGC010andRGC011thisNTSR imageofthetablefacetalso revealsavirtualjigsawpuzzleof glassandrubyislandsofruby inaglassmatrix

Figure51:RGC006(magnified fromFigure50)asinRGC007, RGC010andRGC011thisNTSR imageofthetablefacetalso revealsavirtualjigsawpuzzleof glassandrubyislandsofruby inaglassmatrix

Figure52:RGC002showinga widetractofglasscrossingthe tablefacetinNTSF,twobubbles areseencutthroughatthe surface

Figure53:RGC002showinga widetractofglasscrossingthe tablefacetinNTSF,highlighted areaonthesamefacetseen inFigure52.

Figure54RGC002showinga widetractofglasscrossingthe tablefacetinNTSF,highlighted areaonthesamefacetseen inFigure52

Figure55:RGC002showinga widetractofglasscrossingthe tablefacetinNTSF,highlighted areaonthesamefacetseen inFigure52

Figure56:RGC003showinga widetractofglasscrossinga facetinNTSF

Figure57:RGC004showinga widetractofglasscrossinga facetinNTSF

Figure58:RGC007showing severalwidetractsofglass crossingtwofacetsinNTSF

Figure59:RGC010showingwide Figure60:RGC012showingwide andnarrowtractsofglass andnarrowtractsofglass crossingafacetinNTSF crossingafacetinNTSF

Figure61:RGC014showingwide Figure62:RGC014showing tractsofglasscrossingafacetin widetractsofglasscrossinga NTSF,Theproportionofrubyto facetinNTSF. glassisintheregionof50/50

Figure63:RGC014showingwide tractsofglasscrossingafacetin NTSF.

Glasscomposition
The composition of the glass used in the specimens collected for this series of examinationsisindicatedinTable2.

Acid disintegration tests and observations

As seen in Figure 1 and confirmed through industry contacts the start material for the product described here is extremely low quality corundum and further the assumption is that the material cannot be cut and faceted as mined. This assumption is confirmed in part both through industry contacts and our own observations that the material has to be infused with glass prior to cutting and faceting(seeagainFigure1). During the October 2007 LMHC meeting a further assumption was made that withoutthepresenceoftheglassmanyofthesetreatedstoneswouldnotremainin onepiece;indicatingthattheglasswasactingmuchinthesamewayasacommon adhesive.Inordertotestthisassumption15stoneswereselectedfromatotalof 116 faceted stones present on the Bangkok market in November 2007. These 15 stones were immersed in hydrofluoric acid for either 44hrs:45mins or 107hours. These time slots were not chosen through any form of calculation but rather they wereconvenienttimespansthatfittedinwithnumerousotherprojectsandregular workloads. Theacidbegantovisuallydisintegratetheglasswithinminutesofimmersion(Figure 64 and Figure 65). As immersion progressed and the acid disintegrated the glass further so small parts of the stones began to fall off from the main body of each specimen(Figure66toFigure81).Longerimmersionresultedinthestonesfalling into many pieces (Figure 96 to Figure 121) and in one case a total disintegration occurred(Figure89toFigure92).

Figure64:RGC014seenhereimmersedin hydrofluoricacid.Thewhitesubstanceisresidue fromdisintegrationoftheglassbytheacid.The disintegrationprocessbeginsassoonasthe stoneisplacedintheacid.Thisimageistaken within30minutesofimmersion.

Figure65:RGC015seenhereimmersedin hydrofluoricacid.Thewhitesubstanceisresidue fromdisintegrationoftheglassbytheacid.The disintegrationprocessbeginsassoonasthe stoneisplacedintheacid.Thisimageistaken within30minutesofimmersion.

15rubyglasscopositessubjectedtoaciddisintigrationtests(placinginhydrofluoric acidforbetween2and10days)

Figure66:RGC001 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure67:RGC001 afteracid disintegration.

Figure68:RGC001 afteracid disintegration.

Figure69:RGC001after aciddisintegration.

Figure70:RGC002 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure71:RGC002 afteracid disintegration.

Figure72:RGC002 afteracid disintegration.

Figure73:RGC002after aciddisintegration.


Figure74:RGC003 beforeacid disintegration. Figure76:RGC003 Figure75:RGC003after afteracid aciddisintegration. disintegration. Figure77:RGC003after aciddisintegration.

Figure78:RGC004 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure79:RGC004 afteracid disintegration.

Figure80:RGC004 afteracid disintegration.

Figure81:RGC004after aciddisintegration.

Figure82:RGC005 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure83:RGC005 afteracid disintegration.

Figure84:RGC005 afteracid disintegration.

Figure85:RGC005after aciddisintegration

Figure86:RGC006 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure87:RGC006 afteracid disintegration.

Figure88:RGC006 afteracid disintegration.

Figure89:RGC007 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure90:RGC007 afteracid disintegration.

Figure91:RGC007 afteracid disintegration.

Figure92:RGC007after aciddisintegration.

Figure93:RGC008 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure94:RGC008 afteracid disintegration.

Figure95:RGC008 afteracid disintegration.

Figure96:RGC009 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure97:RGC009 afteracid disintegration.

Figure98:RGC009 afteracid disintegration.

Figure99:RGC010 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure100:RGC010 afteracid disintegration.

Figure101:RGC010 afteracid disintegration.

Figure102:RGC010after aciddisintegration.

Figure103:RGC011 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure104:RGC011 afteracid disintegration.

Figure105:RGC011 afteracid disintegration.

Figure106:RGC012 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure107:RGC012 afteracid disintegration.

Figure108:RGC012 afteracid disintegration.

Figure109:RGC012after aciddisintegration.

Figure110:RGC013 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure111:RGC013 afteracid disintegration.

Figure112:RGC013 afteracid disintegration.

Figure113:RGC013after aciddisintegration.

Figure114:RGC014 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure115:RGC014 afteracid disintegration.

Figure116:RGC014 afteracid disintegration

Figure117:RGC014after aciddisintegration

Figure118:RGC015 beforeacid disintegration.

Figure119:RGC015 afteracid disintegration.

Figure120:RGC015 afteracid disintegration.

Figure121:RGC015after aciddisintegration.

Discussion
Fromtheaboveobservationsandresultsofaciddisintegrationexperimentsitwould appearthatanadjustmentinreportingnomenclatureisnecessaryandthattheline taken by LMHC (rubyglass composite) is integral with this. However, this single (LMHC)change impacts other reporting areas. These other areas arethose where presently report language describes clarity enhancement (fracture filling) regardless of the stone type and whether this involves glass or some other substance. Themarketcontinuestobewatchedandassessedforanynewdevelopmentstothis orsimilartreatmentprocessesandthisdiscussionpaperwillbeperiodicallyupdated. The following new report nomenclature was introduced for use within GIA LaboratoriesatFebruary1st2008.Suggestionsandfurtherinputiswelcome.

Condition Fissurespresent,butobviouslyintactmaterial

PresumedIntent/ Application

CaseA

Clarity enhancement; SpeciesNatural(Corundum,BerylorTourmalineetc) corundum, emeralds, Variety(Ruby/Sapphire,EmeraldorTourmaline) tourmaline,etc Treatment: Theimagesofrubywithglassheregenerallyreflectthematerialdescribed A (minor, moderate, significant) amount clarity enhancement, using (a filler, inthissectionandwouldalsoreflectthesituationwithemerald. glass,resin,oil)toreducethevisibilityoffissures. Add(indicationsofheating)iffillerisglass. Comment: Fissure filling materials (glass/oil/resin etc) may be unstable to elevated temperatures and to chemical agents. Special care should be taken when cleaningorrepairingjewelryitemssetwithfissurefilledstones

Condition Highly fractured and/or twinned material with filled voids, channels and fissures. Material was one piece initially but may lose integrity if filling material is removed. An exceptionally large amountoffillingmaterialispresent.

PresumedIntent/ Application Tostrengthenfractured roughtoenablecutting; improveclarityand appearance;currently appliestocorundum andberyl

CaseB
Species Natural(CorundumorBeryl)with (filler,glass,resin) Variety:(Ruby/SapphireorEmerald)with(filler,glass,oil,resin)

Theimagesofrubywithglassheregenerallyreflectthematerialdescribed Treatment: Fractures filled with (glass/resin) which significantly reduces their inthissectionandwouldalsoreflectthesituationwithemerald. visibility.Add(indicationsofheating)iffillerisglass Comment: Significant fractures present in this stone have been hidden from view by the treatmentdescribedabove.Fracturefillingmaterials(glass/oil/resinetc)maybe unstabletoelevatedtemperaturesandtochemicalagents.Specialcareshould betakenwhencleaningorrepairingjewelryitemssetwithfracturefilledstones


Condition PresumedIntent/ Application 3.Assemblageorbondingofunrelatedgemstone toproducelargecutting pieces(chunksorpowder) material from unusable pieces or powders; currently applies to corundumandberyl Theimagesofrubywithglassheregenerallyreflectthematerialdescribed inthissectionandwouldalsoreflectthesituationwithemerald.

CaseC
Species (CorundumGlass/Berylresin)Composite Variety: (RubyGlass/Emeraldresin)Composite Treatment: Nothingstated Comment: This item is a combination of (ruby / emerald and glass / resin). The binding material may be unstable to elevated temperatures and to chemical agents. Specialcareshouldbetakenwhencleaningorrepairingcompositematerials


Table1
RGC001

Ct Weight preacid 0.97330

Aciddisintegrated

Ct Weight post acid and after drying 0.93 major piece alone including residue 1.00850 major includingresidue piece alone

7.007

5.187

2.782

RGC002

1.29770

6.973

5.613

3.969

RGC003

1.58270

7.920

6.929

3.012

RGC004

1.60520

7.510

5.593

4.245

RGC005

1.83240

8.488

6.381

3.611

RGC006

1.83830

8.390

6.664

3.504

RGC007

2.09230

7.776

6.204

4.919

RGC008

2.47430

8.371

7.279

4.783

RGC009

3.58680

9.491

7.430

5.298

RGC010

5.75550

11.176

9.264

6.267

RGC011

9.84210

14.640

10.280

6.585

RGC012 RGC013 RGC014

11.71390 12.89150 21.05030

11.733 14.109 21.063

11.817 11.383 15.255

7.440 8.473 8.896

Into HF 14:15 November 24th 2007 out 11:00 November 26th 2007. Total 44 hours45mins Into HF 15:22 November 24th 2007 out 10:00 November 26th 2007. Total 44 hours45mins Into HF 16:00 November 24th 2007 out 12:00 November 26th 2007. Total 44 hours45mins th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 out 11:00 th December15 2007.Total107hours
th

1.55 major piece alone including residue 1.58 major piece alone including residue 1.56 major piece alone including residue 1.82 major piece alone including residue 1.67Onlydustleft

2.41 major piece alone including residue 3.11 major piece alone including residue 5.05 major piece alone including residue 8.23 major piece alone including residue 11.19majorpiecealoneincluding residue

Into HF 12:00 December 7 out 11:00 12.72majorpiecealoneincluding th December15 2007.Total107hours residue Into HF 12:00 December 7 2007 out th 11:00 December 15 2007. Total 107 hours th Into HF 12:00 December 7 out 11:00 th December15 2007.Total107hours
th

20.68majorpiecealoneincluding residue 23.00majorpiecealoneincluding residue

RGC015

23.86110

16.675

16.437

9.721

Table2
glassonrubycompositeroughsp1 glassonrubycompositeroughsp2 glassonrubycompositeroughsp3 glassonrubycompositeroughsp4 glassonrubycompositeroughsp5 Average Stdev glassonrubycompositeroughsp1 glassonrubycompositeroughsp2 glassonrubycompositeroughsp3 glassonrubycompositeroughsp5 Average Stdev glassonrubycompositeroughsp1 glassonrubycompositeroughsp2 glassonrubycompositeroughsp3 glassonrubycompositeroughsp5 Average Stdev

ppm ppm
7Li 23.61 21.97 21.36 21.78 21.57 22.06 0.90 ppm 59Co 1.30 1.45 1.38 9Be 2.17 2.24 2.08 2.55 2.32 2.27 0.18 ppm 60Ni 29.67 32.55 30.59 30.52 30.09 30.68 1.11 ppm 140Ce 4.85 5.00 5.39 5.76 5.19 5.24 0.36

ppm
11B 17000 15510 15330 15560 15560 15792.00 681.89 ppm 65Cu 8.34 8.92 8.55 8.85 7.89 8.51 0.42 ppm 146Nd 1.96 1.66 2.14 2.35 1.66 1.95 0.30

ppm
24Mg 6933 8177 7815 7583 7103 7522.20 510.17 ppm 66Zn 221.80 231.80 230.60 243.70 246.60 234.90 10.17 ppm 147Sm 0.45 0.38 0.45 0.54 0.34 0.43 0.08

ppm
27Al 198000 180100 198200 214100 185100 195100.00 13266.69 ppm 69Ga 53.61 49.85 52.65 55.65 50.16 52.38 2.43 ppm 153Eu 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.08 0.08 0.02

ppm
29Si 58510 135600 142100 151900 146500 ######## 38707.49 ppm 71Ga 20.66 21.19 19.59 20.26 20.27 20.39 0.59 ppm 163Dy 0.65 0.55 0.63 0.79 0.54 0.63 0.10

ppm
44Ca 3410 1050 1110 1140 1150 208.00 2022.90 ppm 72Ge 0.87 0.98 0.83 0.86 0.86 0.88 0.06 ppm 172Yb 1.29 1.02 1.27 1.44 1.19 1.24 0.16

ppm
45Sc 13.22 13.52 15.02 16.12 14.41 14.46 1.17 ppm 83Kr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ppm 175Lu 0.21 0.23 0.26 0.30 0.21 0.24 0.04

ppm
47Ti 1173 1133 1172 1228 1208 1182.80 36.64 ppm 85Rb 6.63 6.21 6.22 6.68 6.30 6.41 0.23 ppm 181Ta 0.43 0.42 0.46 0.49 0.50 0.46 0.04

ppm
48Ti 1173 1135 1163 1219 1198 1177.60 32.32 ppm 88Sr 11.18 9.76 11.40 12.25 10.63 11.04 0.93 ppm 182W 0.20 0.15 0.19 0.25 0.25 0.21 0.04

ppm
51V 15.59 14.91 15.2 15.55 14.75 15.20 0.37 ppm 89Y 5.06 5.08 6.15 6.68 4.99 5.59 0.78 ppm 208Pb 1131000 1042000 1044000 1074000 1090000 1076200.00 36758.67

ppm
52Cr 31.72 52.73 54.66 55.63 55.85 50.12 10.36 ppm 90Zr 1813.00 1772.00 2081.00 2341.00 1777.00 1956.80 250.10 ppm 220Bkg 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00

ppm
53Cr 59.91 55.25 55.45 59.51 56.5 57.32 2.23 ppm 93Nb 1.99 1.97 2.00 2.05 2.05 2.01 0.04 ppm 232Th 1.30 1.32 1.61 1.73 1.39 1.47 0.19

ppm
55Mn 20.24 32.11 29.81 28.59 27.02 27.55 4.49 ppm 118Sn 4.06 3.64 3.54 7.10 4.08 4.48 1.48 ppm 238U 1.76 1.82 1.75 1.85 1.94 1.82 0.08

ppm
56Fe 3188 3098 3155 3289 3217 3189.40 71.10 ppm 137Ba 157.40 150.50 158.40 164.10 154.50 156.98 5.03

glassonrubycompositeroughsp4 1.21
1.26 1.32 0.09 ppm 139La 2.00 2.10 2.39

glassonrubycompositeroughsp4 2.66
2.19 2.27 0.26

References
Kane,R.E.(1984)Naturalrubieswithglassfilledcavities.Gems&Gemology.20.4.187199 Scarratt,K.,etal.(1984)Glassinfillingofcavitiesinnaturalruby.JournalofGemmology.19.4. 293297 Hughes,R.W.(1987)Glassinfillingofcracksinruby.ICALabAlert.4.1 Scarratt,K.(1987)Glassinfillingofcavitiesinrubyandsapphire.JournalofGemmology.20.7/8. 421 Hlaing,U.T.(1993)MongHsurubyupdate.AustralianGemmologist.18.5.157160 Kremkow,C.(1993)Burmaisback:MongHsurubyrushtransformsmarket.ICAGazette.1,9 Laughter,T.(1993)Howdoyoudo?ImfromMongHsu.JewelSiam.4.5.3841 Peretti,A.(1993)ForeignsubstancesinMongHsurubies.JewelSiam.4.5.42 Smith,C.P.,etal.(1994)TheMongHsuruby:AnewtypeofBurmeseruby.JewelSiam.4.6.82 98 GAAJ. (2004) GAAJ Lab Alert: lead glass impreagnated ruby. http://www.gaaj zenhokyo.co.jp/researchroom/kanbetu/2004/gaaj_alert040315en.html Pardieu, V. (2005) Lead Glass Filled/Repaired 04.http://www.aigslaboratory.com/Filearticle/55.pdf Rubies, Version

Smith C.P., M. S. F., Wang W., Hall M. (2005) Some characteristics of leadglassfilled corundum.JewelleryNewsAsia.November.255.7984. McClure, S. F., Smith, C.P., Wang, W., Hall, M. (2006) Identification and Durabuility of Lead GlassFilledRubies.Gems&Gemology.42.1.2234 AGL. (2007) AGL Modifies its Disclosure Policy Rubieshttp://www.aglgemlab.com/AGLModifiesDisclosure.html on LeadGlass Filled

Composite materials (or composites for short) are engineered materials made from two or

more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separate and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_material