Life is full of surprises, some good, and some not so good. I don’t know about my latest one for sure, but I do think people should be aware in the future of it.

While shopping in the Kitsap Mall one afternoon with a gal pal, I was told by a jeweler that my lovely deep-blue topaz and diamond ring had two loose stones. Since it was an anniversary gift from my husband from years back I certainly didn’t want to lose them. I left the ring it to be repaired.

What a shock when a day later I was called asking if I had purchased the ring from their store as the repair business where it was sent out to wanted to know. I replied “No, Don bought it from another jeweler in the in the year 2000.”

Then the young lady told me the company could not fix my ring because it may have been irradiated. If I had bought it from them then it would have been listed and had the information on it. The jeweler contacted another outfit to have them repair my ring and I am waiting on it now.

Irradiation, from all I read on the subject, is a proccess that makes colors that are not natural in the gem. A gemstone stone is heated, or cooked in a nuclear reactor to enhance or change clear, white, or light blue topaz to a darker, more colorful hue. Blue topaz distribution is controlled in the United States by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission because it’s claimed they stay radioactive up to a year after this treatment.

On the world markets in 1970 many blue topaz were sold that evidently were hot stones. I always thought hot stones meant stolen jewelry. Also the consumer report said some colored diamonds can stay radioactive years after these treatments. I also read of a diamond from a European laboratory was so radioactive you couldn’t wear it for 35,000 years. Some advice I was given was next time, before buying, see a well-trained gemologist.

In watching some of the gems being sold or auctioned off on television, I found only one program saying their stones were irradiated in print on the screen. Also, I did find the certificate that came with my topaz ring and it does say genuine blue topaz; but on the brochure it read enhanced. Now, do I have a real topaz or don’t I? If we have a gemologist in the Kingston area, would you please write our readers a column on the subject, or to me? Although there is plenty of information on the Internet, I’d rather hear it from a pro.

On the facetious side I did say to Don, “This evening, I’m going to put on all my blue topaz jewelry, turn the lights off and see if I glow in the dark.” Well, on second thought, maybe I don’t really want to know.

If it weren’t for these types of treatments to the gemstones, topaz jewelry would be scarce because natural deep earth colored stones is rare. Bombarding gems with these rays makes less expensive stones and far more beautiful in glowing and deeper colors. Also there are colors other than blue topaz, like pink. I guess the most important thing on our part is to be sure of what we are buying. Ask when did the jeweler bought the items for the store? Where were they treated if treated, and see if you can get a certificate with them like my ring has At least it tells me mine was enhanced. Talk to a gemologist.

A lot of bother? Maybe, but I wish I had known more about the subject before buying the gems I have now and not have received a surprise out of the blue. (How’s that for a play on words).

Columnist Jacque Thornton can be reached at jacquethorn@yahoo.com