Beryllium Diffusion
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Definition
A treatment in which beryllium atoms are diffused into the surface layers of corundum at extremely high temperatures to alter color, most notably producing orange, yellow, or padparadscha-like sapphires.
Detailed Explanation
Beryllium diffusion treatment was discovered around 2001 when unusual orange sapphires appeared on the market in large quantities. The treatment involves heating stones with a beryllium compound to temperatures above 1,800°C, allowing the small beryllium ions to migrate into the crystal surface over a depth of a fraction of a millimeter to several millimeters. Because the color is confined to a shallow layer, some stones can be recut to remove the treated zone. Detection requires laser ablation ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) to measure trace beryllium content, as standard gemological testing cannot identify this treatment.