Gemstone Enhancements

What are enhancements?

Enhancements are various treatments used to improve the appearance or durability of a gemstone. Many enhancements are quite common and widely accepted. For example, merely polishing a gemstone is technically an enhancement, and industry experts estimate that over 95% of popular gemstones have undergone at least some form of treatment.

At Ben Bridge, we are quite discerning about the types of enhancements we allow to be used on our jewelry. We only allow treatments that are durable, permanent, and maintain the stone's integrity and value. We deeply value transparency, and so always make sure that our customers are aware when an enhancement has been used.

Ben Bridge enhancement disclosure policy

We clearly disclose any enhancements done to our gemstones. Our vendors also must follow strict guidelines which require them to only use enhancements and treatments that are widely accepted as standard practice throughout the jewelry industry.

We do not carry or sell any gemstones created in a lab or any diamonds that have been laser drilled or fracture filled to enhance their clarity. Our quality control department inspects every gemstone we sell to ensure that our exacting standards have been met and that you get the best gemstone available in each price range.

Standard enhancements

Most gemstones undergo at least some kind of enhancement processes: cutting, polishing, and sometimes treatments are essential to turning raw stones into fine jewelry. Below you can find examples of common treatments that may have been done to your gemstones from Ben Bridge. If any of these treatments are present, your sales receipt will include a treatment message. Some gems not listed may also have treatments--if so, these treatments will also be disclosed. Still other gemstones will have no treatments at all, and this may also be noted.

Sample treatment messages

Here are some messages that you could find on your Ben Bridge receipt: "The iolite and peridot are natural in color and required no enhancement except for cutting and polishing" "This onyx is dyed to produce its consistent color" "The tourmaline and sapphire are heated to improve their color" "This emerald has been treated with colorless oil or resin which penetrates its surface" "The tanzanite has been heated to permanently improve its color."