TREATMENTS - almost all (99%) Sapphire is routinely treated with "heat" to enhance and stabilize the color.  The typical heat treatment process is a permanent process that does not adversely affect the performance and durability of the gemstone, so there's no need to worry when you see this enhancement disclosed.  The typical heat enhancement procedure performed on Sapphire we offer from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) normally refers to the lower temperature wood heat method, and the typical heat enhancement procedure performed on Sapphire from Burma, and other countries in that region, usually refers to the higher temperature furnace fired method that is performed at another location, both heating methods have been accepted trade practices for generations.

CARE - It is usually safe to clean Sapphire in an Ultrasonic cleaner, but risky to use a steamer. We recommend ionic cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean Sapphire jewelry.
We specialize in obtaining Ceylon Sapphires that are natural "untreated" gems, not heated or chemically treated in any way.  The exception is Golden Sapphire, Orange Sapphire as well as some of the darker shades of Blue Sapphire, and these Ceylon stones are typically heat enhanced to stabilize the color. Even though it does not normally adversely affect the performance, durability, or value of the gem, in recent years demand for unheated top quality Blue Sapphire has caused the unheated gems to command a somewhat higher premium, depending on the gem.

Buyers Beware: There is a new treatment process being performed in Thailand that changes a lower quality Sapphires into beautiful color Blue, Padparadscha, Orange, Pink, and Yellow Sapphire.  AGTA and GIA gem labs, after examination of this 'bulk diffused' heat treatment process reveals that the color does not go all the way through the gem, but is only in the outer layer, so if the stone is ever scratched or recut the outer color layer would be removed and the original color would then be visible underneath the outer layer of the gemstone.  Since Asian gem suppliers (and there are many online now) are now disclosing the process, but they are also misrepresenting it as a good thing to happen to the gem industry.  Nothing could be further from the truth, so Buyers please Beware.  For example, you may see a premium Ceylon Padparadscha Sapphire advertised on one of those websites for what appears to be pennies on the dollar, be assured that the stone was most likely altered by one of these Asian factories.  Some of these gem suppliers even go to great lengths to try to convince the public that there is no difference in the value of their artifically colored and/or treated gem, and the value of a natural gem, but any experienced jeweler will verify that a statement like that is totally untrue.