Antique jewelry glossary

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Tinting

The process of improving the colour of certain gemstones by painting the facets of the pavilion. It is also used to improve the brilliance of some yellowish diamonds by painting the facets of the pavilion with violet dye which neutralizes the yellow and gives a water-white appearance. Stones so tinted are usually given a closed setting so as to conceal the tint.

The process has been used for centuries, especially in the 16th century before the introduction of the brilliant cut. Tinting is also used on some specimens of Hyalite (water opal) from Mexico.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, autor: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson