In March 2005, GIT-GTL received the orangy pink sapphires for certified; one of which showing the evidences of having undergone the fracture-filled process with lead glass. Our standard gem testing confirmed this stone was natural orangey pink sapphire. The pictures below show a stone full of inclusions and fractures/fissures with blue/yellow flashes (Figure 1) similar to the new lead-glass fracture-filled ruby.
The X-radiograph images also revealed high-density area (brighter colour in the negatives) along fractures and fissures (Figure 2). The high density areas with brighter or whiter features are normally the results of having heavier elements in composition compared to silica or alumina glasses. The chemical analysis by EDXRF spectrometry technique has also revealed that the chemical compositions of the filling substance showing the presence of lead (Pb) beside other usual trace elements in corundum (Figure 3).
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