Characteristic of Sapphire by Filling Treatment

Several untreated and filled sapphire samples were collected. With the help of electron probe micro-analyzer, infrared spectrometer, laser-induced plasma breakdown spectroscopy, polarizing microscope and other gemmological characteristic tests, the sapphire samples were analyzed in the aspects of chemical compositions, structures and spectral characteristics. The results of infrared spectra showed that the absorption peak at 3 311 cm^-1 only appeared in untreated sapphire samples, and it lacked in the spectra of treated sapphire samples which revealed the process of oxidation heat treatment. The results of EPMA and LIBS showed that the increase contents of Ti, Fe, Co in the treated sapphire samples made the gem turn to deep blue, and the fillings played an important role in repairing, filling and healing the fractures of sapphires.