The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has urged its members to exercise prudence in the importation of blue topaz, currently the subject of scrutiny in the US market.
"To the best of our knowledge, there has not been a single confirmed report of cancer or radiation poisoning as a result of an irradiated gem over the past few decades. We have no reason to believe that any significant quantity of dangerous gemstones is in the market today. However, since there have been a handful of sightings over that period of gemstones with potentially harmful radiation, we are taking the prudent step of reminding all AGTA Members that if they handle deep blue topaz, they should do their own radiation checks," said the organization.
It added that it may be prudent for members to "temporarily suspend importation in such stones until their status and safety can be clarified." AGTA claimed that the ongoing scrutiny of blue topaz in the US market has already caused "several major jewellery chains and department stores" to consider stopping selling blue topaz, or have already stopped selling blue topaz.
According to the AGTA and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recently stepped up enforcement of irradiated gemstones. Additional regulations on irradiated gems are expected to go into effect starting late this year or early next year.
Regulations currently in place deal only with "neutron-irradiated gemstones," which affect mostly blue topaz in the darker colours. The AGTA said the expanded regulations would include "linear-accelerator-treated" (LINAC) gems, which include light blue topaz. Therefore, the new rules "will regulate LINAC treated gems. These will include requiring an NRC license for the importation of all blue topaz, red tourmalines, many beryls (treated blue, yellow, and pink colours, but not emerald), kunzite and irradiated diamonds."
Those treated by Cobalt-60 (gamma ray) irradiation, such as various quartz colours, yellow sapphire and pearls are not affected by the upcoming regulations, AGTA added.
Source: http://www.jewellerynetasia.com |
