Sapphires can undergo both accepted and unaccepted treatment methods according to industry standards. It’s important to ensure your sapphire is properly certified and that you are aware of any treatments it has undergone before making a purchase.

All of our sapphires are certified by either an in-house GIA-qualified gemologist or a third-party certified gemologist for independent verification, especially for high-value stones. We only offer sapphires with accepted natural treatments, ensuring that all our stones are either natural or treated using the traditional low-heat method to enhance their natural beauty. For sapphires valued above 1000 AUD, we provide third-party independent certification to guarantee their authenticity and quality. Our commitment is to offer the finest sapphires, with full transparency regarding their treatments and certification.

We are committed to offering only the finest sapphires, with full transparency regarding their treatment and certification.

Traditional low-temperature heating is a common method used in Sri Lanka to enhance the colour and clarity of sapphires. This process involves heating sapphires at lower temperatures (600°C to 800°C) to improve their natural colour and reduce visible inclusions.

Sri Lanka has a long history of sapphire mining and gemstone processing, and this method is performed in small kilns with careful temperature control to preserve the sapphire's integrity.

Unlike more extreme treatments, low-temperature heating does not alter the sapphire’s internal structure, making it a safe and accepted practice in the industry. Sri Lankan heat-treated sapphires, particularly blue sapphires, are highly valued for their rich hues and are considered some of the finest in the world.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) recognizes several treatment methods for sapphires that enhance their color and clarity without changing their natural structure. These treatments include surface diffusion, laser drilling, fracture filling, and beryllium treatment. However, at Lihiniya Gems AU, we choose not to offer treated sapphires to maintain ethical standards and ensure that our customers enjoy the most authentic and natural gemstones.

• Surface Diffusion involves introducing trace elements to the sapphire's surface to enhance color, particularly in yellow, orange, and pink sapphires, while leaving the internal structure unchanged.
• Laser Drilling creates small holes to remove or alter inclusions, improving clarity without affecting the sapphire’s chemical composition.
• Fracture Filling injects transparent materials into surface cracks to improve appearance, though it may impact the sapphire’s value.
• Beryllium Treatment enhances color in sapphires with pale or undesirable hues, often used for yellow, orange, and pink tones.

While these treatments are widely accepted in the industry, we focus on offering untreated or naturally low-heat treated sapphires, allowing our customers to experience gemstones in their purest form.