Gemstone Irradiation and Radioactivity

Abstract

III W i t h t h e increasing use of radiation t o color enhance gemstones, the issue of ra-d i o a c t i v i t y has become ci source of concern for gemologists w o r l d w i d e. T h i s a r t i-cle examines the basic characteristics of radiation and rcidioactivity, t h e sources of radiation i n the earth a n d i n the laboratory , the radiation treatment of gemstones i n particular, a n d t h e detection and measurement of radiation. A l s o i n c l u d e d is a discussion of potential health hazards a n d current government regulations regarding gemstone radioactivity.