The processing of topazio by use of radiation of neutrons and topazio

摘要

A process for the irradiation of topaz and the product resulting therefrom is described whereby the colorless or pale-colored topaz is immersed in a high energy neutron environment at an exposure level sufficient to bring some color to the topaz gemstone, then irradiating the topaz gemstone with electrons at an exposure level in the range of approximately l,000 to l0,000 megarads to produce a remarkable and enhanced "American" blue color. The purpose of such a process is to enhance the value of the relatively "normal" sky-blue topaz gemstone by moderately deepening the blueness of the color of the topaz gemstone to a relatively "rare" and more desirable blue color such as "American Blue" or "Super Sky Blue". A further step of heating the topaz to about a temperature in the range of from 250 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit (l2l DEG C to 482 DEG C) for periods of from about one to six hours may also be used to further enhance the color of the topaz following electron bombardment.