Treated vs Untreated Gemstones: What "Natural" Really Means, and How GemKrishna Discloses Treatment

"Natural" is probably the most-used word in gemstone selling, and one of the most misunderstood. A stone can be completely natural and still be treated. Knowing the difference can save you money, and if you wear stones for astrological reasons, it may matter to you even more. This post explains the common treatments in plain language, and exactly how GemKrishna tells you whether a stone is treated.

The short version

• Natural means the stone formed in the earth and wasn't made in a factory.
• Untreated means nothing was done to it after mining except cutting and polishing.
• A stone can be natural and treated. A heated natural sapphire is still a natural sapphire.
• At GemKrishna, we disclose treatment in the product title for our gemstones, on the bead card in our Custom Bracelet Builder, and on the lab report that comes with the stone.

Natural vs untreated: why the difference matters

Many sellers write "100% natural" and stop there. That can be technically true while leaving out the most important fact: whether the stone's colour or clarity was improved after mining.

It matters for two reasons. First, price: an untreated stone of the same look and size is usually rarer and costs more than a treated one, so you should know what you're paying for. Second, preference: many buyers who wear stones for astrological reasons specifically want untreated stones. Others are buying for looks and are happy with a treated stone at a lower price. Both are fine choices, as long as you know which one you're making.

Common gemstone treatments, explained simply

Heating

Heating is one of the oldest and most common treatments. Controlled heat can improve or change a stone's colour and clarity. Sapphires and tanzanite are often heated, and heating amethyst can turn it yellow, which is how some lemon quartz and some citrine are produced. The result is permanent and the stone is still natural, but it is treated.

Dyeing

Dye is added to a porous stone to change or deepen its colour. Magnesite, for example, is often dyed to look like howlite or turquoise, and coral can be dyed to a deeper red.

Oiling and filling

Oils or resins can be used to fill surface-reaching cracks and make them less visible. This is common in emeralds. Some rubies have fractures filled with glass.

Irradiation

Some stones are exposed to radiation to change their colour. Blue topaz is a well-known example.

Cultured pearls

Strictly speaking, culturing isn't a treatment, but it's worth knowing. A cultured pearl grows inside a real oyster or mussel, but the process is started by people. Most pearls sold today are cultured, and a seller should say so.

Examples from our own range

We'd rather show you than just tell you. Here's how treatment appears across the GemKrishna range:

• Tanzanite: our tanzanite listings say "Heated" in the title.
• Pitambari Neelam (bi-colour sapphire): we stock both, and each title says either "Heated" or "Untreated".
• Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) and Blue Sapphire (Neelam): our untreated stones say "Untreated" in the title.
• Lemon Quartz: the title says it is heated natural amethyst.
• Citrine: we stock natural untreated citrine, and where a citrine product is heat-treated, such as one of our faceted citrine malas, the title says "Heat Treated".
• Pearls: our pearls are mostly South Sea cultured pearls, and the title says so.
• Red Coral (Moonga): our red coral is natural, and any treatment would be stated in its lab report. In our Custom Bracelet Builder, you can choose between a Natural Japanese Red Coral bead and a clearly labelled Dyed Red Coral bead.
• The "Howlite" option: in our Custom Bracelet Builder, the Howlite option is dyed magnesite, and the bead card says so.

How GemKrishna discloses treatment

1. In the product title

For our gemstones, treatment status goes in the product title, not buried in the description or the fine print. You shouldn't have to scroll to find out whether a stone is heated.

2. On the bead card in the Custom Bracelet Builder

When you design a bracelet, every bead card tells you whether the bead is anything other than natural before you select it.

3. On the lab report

Every gemstone and crystal product we sell comes with a lab report, mainly from GJSPC, with IGI, GRS, IIGJ, GSI or GIA available on request. You can ask to see the report before you buy. For custom bracelets, the GJSPC report identifies each gemstone in your bracelet and discloses any treatment, and if it shows a treatment that contradicts what we disclosed, we guarantee a full refund.

Choose your treatment level with our gem selection service

If you're buying an astrological gemstone, you can use our online gem selection service and tell us exactly what you'll accept:

• No treatment at all: only fully untreated stones.
• Natural, but some treatment is fine: for example, heating is acceptable.
• Any treatment: you're mainly buying for looks.

You also choose the stone, weight range, budget, setting, metal and lab report. You pay a ₹500 advance, and our team shows you stones until you're satisfied. The advance is adjusted against the stone you buy: for a ₹5,000 stone, you pay ₹4,500 more. The options available depend on the stone.

How to protect yourself, wherever you buy

1. Look for the word "untreated", not just "natural". If a listing only says "natural", ask directly whether the stone is treated.
2. Ask for the lab report before buying. A reputable seller will share it.
3. Read the report's treatment finding. Check what the report says about treatment, not only the stone's name.
4. Check that the report matches the stone: weight, shape, colour and the photo.
5. Be wary of prices that seem too good. A large, clean, untreated stone at a treated-stone price deserves questions.

Frequently asked questions

Is a treated gemstone fake?

No. A treated stone can be completely natural. Treatment means its colour or clarity was improved after mining. It should simply be disclosed, and priced accordingly.

What is the difference between natural and untreated?

Natural means the stone formed in the earth. Untreated means nothing was done to it after mining except cutting and polishing. A stone can be natural and treated at the same time.

How does GemKrishna disclose treatment?

In the product title for gemstones, on the bead card in the Custom Bracelet Builder, and on the lab report that comes with the stone.

Is heated citrine real citrine?

Heating amethyst can turn it yellow, and this is how some citrine and lemon quartz are produced. It's natural quartz, but it's treated. At GemKrishna we label heat-treated citrine and stock natural untreated citrine separately.

Is the howlite in your bracelet builder natural?

The Howlite option in our Custom Bracelet Builder is dyed magnesite, and the bead card says so.

Can I ask for only untreated stones?

Yes. Through our gem selection service, you can choose "no treatment at all" and we'll only show you untreated stones.

Can I see the lab report before I buy?

Yes. Message us on WhatsApp or email us and we'll share it.

Talk to us

If you'd like help choosing between a treated and an untreated stone, message us on WhatsApp at +91 76782 75972 or email contact@gemkrishna.com.