Gemstone irradiation

<table><tbody><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Gemstone irradiation is a process in which a <a href="/facts/Gemstone/kHffmvE3">gemstone</a> is intentionally exposed to large amounts of <a href="/facts/Ionizing_radiation/vw0d9GaT">ionizing radiation</a> in order to enhance its <a href="/facts/Optical_properties/MLJxsAdy">optical properties</a>. Large amounts of ionizing radiation can rearrange the gemstone's <a href="/facts/Crystal_structure/bJ4bCeHd">crystal structure</a>, altering its optical properties. This can significantly alter the gemstone's color or lessen the visibility of its inclusions.
</p><p>The process, widely practiced in <a href="/facts/Jewelry_industry/DYt7cj0R">jewelry industry</a>, is done in either a <a href="/facts/Particle_accelerator/Pkuc08xC">particle accelerator</a> for <a href="/facts/Electron/L0KBo5cW">electron</a> bombardment, a <a href="/facts/Gamma_ray/5Drf913J">gamma ray</a> facility using the <a href="/facts/Radioactive_isotope/5WpCfbdq">radioactive isotope</a> <a href="/facts/Cobalt-60/hjDPVA8M">cobalt-60</a>, or a <a href="/facts/Nuclear_reactor/8xqjIbge">nuclear reactor</a> for <a href="/facts/Neutron/oRCM1geb">neutron</a> bombardment. Irradiation treatment has enabled the creation of gemstone colors that do not exist or are extremely rare in nature. However, the process, particularly when done in a nuclear reactor, can make the gemstones radioactive. Health risks related to the residual radioactivity in the irradiated gemstones have led to government regulations in many countries.
</p>

Gemstone irradiation open-in-new

Gemstone irradiation