TRADE ALERT
SSEF – the Swiss Gemmological Laboratory
SSEF Issues Trade Alert After Identifying Re-Filled Emeralds
Accompanied by Earlier “No or Minor Enhancement” Reports
Picture this:
An emerald with oil- or resin-filled fissures is “cleaned” using strong solvents to remove as much of the filler as possible. Once cleaned, it is then submitted to a gemological laboratory for examination.
The laboratory examines the stone and issues a report indicating that “no” or only “minor” clarity enhancement is present.
Then the emerald is re-filled and offered for sale, accompanied by that earlier report!
According to Dr. Michael Krzemnicki, Director of SSEF, the Swiss Gemmological Institute, that sequence of events is occurring “often enough” in today’s emerald market that the laboratory felt compelled to issue a formal trade alert.
A Fraudulent Misuse of Emerald Reports
Just to be clear, the concern is not the filling itself.
As SSEF notes, filling fissures with oil, wax, natural resin, or artificial resin has long been accepted within the emerald trade when properly disclosed.*1
The problem arises when a gemstone’s enhancement status changes after laboratory testing, yet continues to be accompanied by an earlier report.
The report may still be genuine.
The emerald may still be genuine.
The problem is that they no longer match.
According to SSEF, the high-end market increasingly favors emeralds accompanied by reports indicating little or no clarity enhancement. That demand may help explain why SSEF continues to encounter such cases.
SSEF describes the practice as a fraudulent misuse of laboratory reports.
More than an isolated case
The SSEF alert was accompanied by images showing an emerald before and after re-filling, illustrating how dramatically a stone’s appearance can change once fissures are filled.
Such before-and-after images are familiar to most gemologists. The treatment itself is not the issue. What’s at issue is proper disclosure.
Photo: SSEF
The illustrated emerald is a Colombian stone weighing approximately 5 carats.
Any Particular Size?
No. The issue is not limited to smaller stones.
“We have seen larger stones, up to 20 carats or more, with similar refilling issues,” Krzemnicki told the Roskin Gem News Report. “Most are Colombian origin.”
More importantly, SSEF says these cases are not rare. “Actually we see it several times per year (5 or more cases), usually and most often during Shows,” he said. “Just recently, before and during GemGenève, we had cases which made us decide to write this trade alert as a reminder to the trade.”
A report is a snapshot in time
The alert also serves as a reminder of something gemological laboratories have emphasized for years: a report reflects the condition of a gemstone when it was examined.
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Be mindful of the date on the report. The Roskin Report always notes,
as do auction houses, the dates on the accompanying gem laboratory reports.
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A laboratory report does not guarantee that the stone will remain unchanged.
In fact, SSEF reports specifically state:
“The conclusions on this Gemstone Report reflect our findings at the time it is issued. A gemstone could be modified and/or enhanced at any time.”*2
That statement appears on SSEF reports precisely because a gemstone may be altered after examination.
SSEF is not alone in this. The same principle applies throughout the gemological laboratory community.
An authentic report may still become outdated if a gemstone is subsequently cleaned, re-filled, repaired, damaged, re-cut, or otherwise altered.
And for these reasons, the laboratory is cautioning that a report can no longer accurately describe a gemstone if the stone has been modified after testing.
Image courtesy of SSEF
Often an unpleasant surprise
Perhaps the most surprising part is that many of these discoveries are accidental.
The owner isn’t investigating a suspected fraud.
They’re simply surprised to learn that the emerald no longer matches the report.
“Usually (as in this case) it is a bad surprise for our clients,” Krzemnicki explained.
That is one reason SSEF recommends re-testing fissured emeralds before major transactions, particularly when reports are older or when a stone appears unusually clean relative to the treatment information stated on the report.*3
The laboratory also advises sellers not to continue circulating reports once a stone has been cleaned, re-filled, or otherwise altered.
Instead, a new report should be obtained reflecting the gemstone’s current condition.
Not just emeralds
Although the current alert focuses on emeralds, SSEF notes that the broader principle applies to any gemstone containing fissures.
When asked whether the laboratory has observed similar situations involving other gemstones, Krzemnicki said such cases do occasionally occur elsewhere.
“Although rarely seen in other stones (e.g. rubies), it so far mainly is an issue for emeralds,” he said.
Nevertheless, SSEF believes the trade should remain vigilant.
“We just would like to remind the trade to be vigilant that any stone with fissures might go through the same fraudulent scheme.”
For SSEF, the recommendation is straightforward: verify report authenticity (for SSEF reports on www.myssef.ch), re-test fissured emeralds before major transactions, and never continue circulating a report once a stone has been cleaned, re-filled, or otherwise altered.
For buyers, appraisers, dealers, auction houses, and collectors alike, the lesson is simple:
The report may be genuine.
The emerald may be genuine.
The question is whether they still belong together.
SSEF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TRADE
· Verify every SSEF report’s authenticity and validity at www.myssef.ch.
· Re-check before purchase. Have any fissured emerald re-tested by SSEF immediately before a transaction, especially in cases where the report is not recent or the stone appears visually unusually clean relative to its present fissures.
· Be cautious of a clean-looking emerald accompanied by a “no clarity modification” report. Request that it be re-tested.
· Sellers should never circulate a report once a stone has been cleaned, re-filled or otherwise altered. Before a sale, submit the stone for a new report, reflecting its current state.
· Handle cleaned or heavily fissured emeralds with care. They are fragile and prone to chipping.
· Finally, while this alert focuses on emeralds, the same treatments and risks apply to any gemstone that contains fissures, with rubies being a notable example. This is a point not always fully appreciated within the trade.
SSEF remains available to re-test and re-issue reports and is glad to assist members of the trade with any questions on emerald treatment and disclosure.
About the SSEF
The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, which is part of the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones (SSEF: Schweizerische Stiftung für Edelstein-Forschung), was founded by trade organisations in 1972 and works independently on a scientific basis. It is structured as a foundation under the aegis of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Home Affairs. The function of its laboratory is to analyse precious stones and issue test reports for diamonds, coloured stones and pearls. Members of SSEF Laboratory are also engaged in research and education, in connection with leading universities or with other gemmological laboratories. www.ssef.ch
Footnotes
*1 Emerald Enhancement
Emeralds are commonly enhanced (treated) in order to improve their clarity and appearance by reducing the visibility of fissures through the use of (colourless) fillers. Fillers can include oil, wax, natural resin (e.g. Canada balsam) and artificial resin. SSEF has a full disclosure policy stating the filler material (e.g. oil, artificial resin) and the amount of filler present at the time of testing in the examined emerald.
Source: Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, emerald treatment disclosure information.
*2 Important Note: The conclusions on this Gemstone Report reflect our findings at the time it is issued. A gemstone could be modified and/or enhanced at any time. Therefore, the SSEF can at any time reassess if a stone is in accordance with the Gemstone Report. Only the report with the valid original signatures, embossed stamp and Proof Tag™ label affixed on to the surface of the laminated report is a valid document. PDF scans and copies of a Gemstone Report are not legally binding. See terms and conditions on reverse side and www.ssef.ch/terms-conditions. © This Gemstone Report is copyright of SSEF.
Source: SSEF Gemstone Report, “Important Note.”
*3 The filler quantification scale for emeralds used by SSEF (based on LMHC terminology) is:
- no indications of clarity modification in fissures at the time of testing
- minor amount of oil (or artificial resin etc.) in fissures at the time of testing
- moderate amount of oil (or artificial resin etc.) in fissures at the time of testing
- significant amount of oil (or artificial resin etc.) in fissures at the time of testing
If an insignificant amount of filler (e.g. oil, artificial resin) is present in a stone, this is not mentioned on an SSEF report. This is in line with international LMHC guidelines. If cavities are present in addition to fissures, the report would clearly state the presence of both, and filler quantification is described as minor / moderate / significant.
Source: SSEF emerald filler quantification scale based on LMHC terminology.
