AGTA has contacted Sri Lankan government officials and members of the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) asking that both parties take necessary actions to protect the gemstone industry from isolated numbers of Sri Lankan vendors using radiation to create temporary and undisclosed treatments affecting the color of some corundum. The concern of color instability in yellow, pink, and padparadscha Sapphires from radiation has prompted many AGTA dealers to stop buying corundum from Sri Lankan dealers.
This issue has grown more serious recently as it came to the attention of AGTA dealers. This prompted AGTA to contact the SLGJA to address the root of the problem.
In a letter sent on February 19, 2025, AGTA CEO John W. Ford, Sr., asked the Sri Lankan government and SLGJA to investigate isolated incidents of Sri Lankan sellers who either knowingly or unknowingly sold irradiated or otherwise treated corundum with color instability, “fading to almost white or light tones—or in the rare case of Rubies, turning dark red over time.”
“It has come to our attention that some vendors may be using radiation from various sources to create temporary, undisclosed treatments,” Ford continued. “The AGTA and other industry associations strongly oppose these unethical practices, as they risk eroding consumer trust and diminishing demand for colored stones altogether.”
Ford urged the group and its government to intervene and move to protect the industry, “establishing strict penalties for dealers who use such treatments without full disclosure.”
SLGJA responded to AGTA on February 23, stating that it would address the problem in a newly created course of actions, including:
- Establishing a Sri Lankan industry awareness campaign comprising wider education of the issue among members and the industry as a whole.
- Lobbying for more-strenuous testing with leading Sri Lankan gemological laboratories to enhance protocols specifically for color stability and radiation exposure.
- Encouraging full disclosure of gemstone treatments by Sri Lankan dealers to reinforce guidelines that require all dealers to disclose treatments.
- Initiate policy and regulatory discussions with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and other relevant government bodies to explore the possibility of introducing stricter regulations and penalties for those found engaging in undisclosed treatments.
- Strengthen collaboration with international partners to ensure that Sri Lankan gemstones continue to meet the highest standards of trust and authenticity.
Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite, and AGTA Board President, welcomed the SLGJA’s quick response on the radiation issue, highlighting that AGTA dealers are mandated to disclose treatments and advise clients that select gemstone colors may change in appearance over time due to certain treatments. Bridges’ is concerned that such occurrences could ultimately harm the colored gemstone industry and erode consumer confidence.
“AGTA has taken and will continue to take strong proactive action to protect our members, buyers, and consumers against this radiation treatment,” he explained.
AGTA strongly encourages colored gemstone buyers to purchase from AGTA suppliers who adhere to a strict code of conduct and full disclosure requirements.
CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri contacted AGTA in March regarding the association’s letter to the Sri Lankan bodies, and as such issued a group press release with AGTA about the topic on Monday, March 24.
“While AGTA participated in the joint press release with CIBJO, AGTA will continue to unilaterally monitor the progress of the SLGJA to ensure the integrity of the colored gemstone market concerning this radiation issue,” stresses Ford.
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