A sapphire optimization treatment method

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of gemstone optimization technology, and particularly relates to a kind of Shandong sapphire optimization treatment method. Comprise the following process steps: first Shandong sapphire sample is loaded: sapphire sample is laid in cubic pressure chamber, pressure chamber is squeezed with hydraulic press, compression volume, finally pressure chamber is sealed with graphite sheet, and sealing is standby;Then six-sided top press is used to process gemstone sample: pressure chamber is installed to top press center, temperature and pressure curve is set: temperature is made to reach 1600-1900 DEG C within 2h, pressure reaches 5-7GPa, and is kept warm for 15h under these conditions;Temperature is reduced to room temperature within 2h, and pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure;Take out sample, sample is cleaned. The present invention uses high temperature and high pressure treatment method to process Shandong sapphire, accelerates sapphire to change, improves its own color and transparency, and Shandong sapphire is improved from black blue to purple blue, and obtains relatively good improvement effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of gemstone optimization, and in particular relates to a Shandong sapphire optimization processing method. Background Art

[0002] Due to its high aesthetic and economic value, sapphires have attracted extensive research from experts and scholars. Shandong sapphire deposits, located in the Changle region of Shandong Province, produce sapphires with relatively intact crystals, large grain size, and few cracks. However, their darker color, often appearing blackish-blue, makes them less aesthetically pleasing, leading to low market value and a low economic value. Improving the color of Shandong sapphires would undoubtedly significantly increase their economic value, leading to continued research on color improvement in Shandong sapphires, a hot topic in the jewelry industry.

[0003] Many scholars at home and abroad have devoted themselves to the color-changing treatment of sapphires, including conventional heat treatment and diffusion treatment. However, current research results show that conventional heat treatment is not effective in improving the color of Shandong sapphires. Diffusion treatment is not a recognized and recommended method in the gemstone field due to various factors such as color instability.

[0004] In addition to traditional methods such as heat treatment and diffusion treatment, a new plasma technology has emerged in recent years. By injecting titanium ions into sapphire through ion implantation, the ratio of iron and titanium ions in the sapphire decreases, enhancing its luster while reducing its color saturation. This method provides a new theoretical basis and experimental approach for the optimization of Shandong sapphires. However, this method does not achieve color deep within the gemstone, and due to its high cost, it is also not widely accepted in the gem industry. Currently, there are almost no reports on this research.

[0005] In summary, the current optimization treatment methods for Shandong sapphires are not effective and have many shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues with existing technologies, meet people's pursuit of the beauty of Shandong sapphires, and promote the development of the gemstone industry, this paper proposes a new Shandong sapphire optimization treatment method, which utilizes high-temperature and high-pressure treatment. Experimental results show that the Shandong sapphires' color improves from dark blue to purplish blue, achieving a relatively good color improvement.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The method of the present invention adopts a high-temperature and high-pressure treatment method, thereby improving the color and transparency of Shandong sapphires and increasing the economic value of Shandong sapphires.

[0009] A Shandong sapphire optimization treatment method includes the following process steps:

[0010] (1) First, load the gemstone sample. Place a layer of cesium chloride powder in the cubic pressure chamber, then a layer of sapphire sample, and so on, alternating layers of sapphire and cesium chloride. The sapphire sample should not come into contact with the side walls of the pressure chamber, and the samples should also avoid contact with each other. Use a hydraulic press to compress the pressure chamber to reduce its volume. Finally, seal the pressure chamber with a graphite sheet and keep it sealed for later use.

[0011] (2) The gemstone sample is then processed using a six-sided top press. The pressure chamber is installed in the center of the top press and the temperature-pressure curve is set: within 2 hours, the temperature reaches 1600-1900℃ and the pressure reaches 5-7GPa, and is kept at this temperature for 15 hours; within 2 hours, the temperature is reduced to room temperature and the pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure.

[0012] (3) Finally, clean the sample. Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the sample to better reveal the color of the gemstone.

[0013] After treatment with the method described in this invention, the originally dark blue sample achieved a favorable color change, becoming a purplish blue under natural light, with high saturation, bright colors, and enhanced transparency. The treated Shandong sapphire exhibited a significant reduction in the iron absorption peak near 450nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The Shandong sapphire treated with the method described in this invention exhibited no elemental incorporation and maintained its structural integrity.

[0014] Beneficial effects

[0015] The present invention discloses a sapphire optimization treatment method. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The present invention uses appropriate simulation of the natural formation conditions of sapphire and utilizes a high-temperature and high-pressure method to treat Shandong sapphire. The method of the present invention improves the color and transparency of Shandong sapphire, and the color of Shandong sapphire is improved from black blue to purple blue, achieving a relatively good improvement effect and enhancing the quality grade and economic value of Shandong sapphire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 : Photos of sapphire samples before treatment;

[0018] Figure 2 :Photos of sapphire samples after treatment;

[0019] Figure 3 : Comparison of UV-visible spectra of samples before and after treatment;

[0020] Figure 4 : X-ray fluorescence spectrum of the sample before treatment;

[0021] Figure 5 : X-ray fluorescence spectrum of the sample after treatment;

[0022] Figure 6 : Comparison of infrared and visible spectra of samples before and after treatment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be described in detail below. Before describing, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present invention on the basis of the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the descriptions presented here are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that other equivalents or improvements can be obtained therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0024] The following examples are merely examples of embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute any limitation thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the reagents and instruments used in the following examples are commercially available products.

[0025] Example

[0026] A sapphire optimization treatment method includes the following process steps:

[0027] (1) Preparation of raw materials and equipment

[0028] Shandong sapphire, black-blue in color.

[0029] High-temperature and high-pressure processing equipment capable of pressures up to 10GPa and temperatures exceeding 2000°C.

[0030] (2) Gemstone processing

[0031] First, load the gemstone sample. Place a layer of cesium chloride powder in the cubic pressure chamber, followed by a layer of sapphire sample, and so on, alternating layers of sapphire and cesium chloride. The sapphire sample should not come into contact with the chamber walls, and the samples should also avoid contact with each other. Use a hydraulic press to compress the pressure chamber, compressing its volume. Finally, seal the pressure chamber with a graphite sheet and keep it sealed until ready for use.

[0032] The gemstone samples were then processed using a six-sided press. The pressure chamber was installed in the center of the press, and the temperature-pressure curve was set: within 2 hours, the temperature reached 1600-1900°C and the pressure reached 5-7 GPa. These conditions were maintained for 15 hours. Within 2 hours, the temperature was lowered to room temperature and the pressure to atmospheric pressure.

[0033] Finally, the sample is cleaned again. Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the sample to remove the cesium chloride on the surface so that the gemstone can better show its color.

[0034] (3) Processing results

[0035] The Shandong sapphire samples before and after high temperature and high pressure treatment were observed with naked eyes. The photos of the samples before and after treatment are as follows: Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the originally black-blue sample achieved good color change results after treatment. It was purple-blue under natural light with high saturation, bright and vivid color, and greatly improved transparency.

[0036] UV-visible spectroscopy analysis was performed on Shandong sapphire samples before and after high temperature and high pressure treatment. The analysis results are as follows: Figure 3 As shown in the before-and-after comparison, it is clear that the iron absorption peak of Shandong sapphires after treatment is significantly reduced near 450nm, and the absorption intensity is significantly reduced.

[0037] Compare and analyze the energy spectra of sapphire before and after treatment, such as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, it can be found that the energy spectrum of Shandong sapphire is the same before and after the experiment, indicating that no elements are introduced into Shandong sapphire in a high temperature and high pressure environment.

[0038] Comparative analysis of the infrared spectra of sapphires before and after high temperature and high pressure treatment, such as Figure 6 The Shandong sapphire sample did not change its structure under the condition of high temperature and high pressure treatment alone.

[0039] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for a person skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or to replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions claimed to be protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A sapphire optimization treatment method, characterized in that: The process steps include: (1) First, load the gemstone sample: place the sapphire sample in the cubic pressure chamber, squeeze the pressure chamber with a hydraulic press to compress the volume, and finally seal the pressure chamber with a graphite sheet and seal it for use; (2) Then use a six-sided top press to process the gemstone sample: install the pressure chamber to the center of the top press, set the temperature and pressure curve: within 2 hours, the temperature reaches 1600-1900℃ and the pressure reaches 5-7GPa, and keep it under this condition for 15 hours; within 2 hours, the temperature drops to room temperature and the pressure drops to atmospheric pressure; (3) Finally, clean the sample; In step (1), a layer of cesium chloride powder is placed in the cubic pressure chamber, followed by a layer of sapphire sample, and so on, with sapphire and cesium chloride layers being alternately placed; the sapphire sample does not come into contact with the side wall of the pressure chamber, and the sapphire samples also avoid contact with each other; After being treated by the method, the color changes from black-blue to purple-blue.

2. The sapphire optimization treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step (3), the sample is cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner to remove cesium chloride on the surface.

3. The sapphire optimization treatment method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The originally dark blue sapphire samples achieved good color change results after treatment, with high saturation, bright and vivid colors, and further improved transparency.

4. The sapphire optimization treatment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: After being treated by the method, the sapphire does not undergo any elemental changes and its structure is not altered.

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