Tools Required to Test Gemstones
There is an absolute and definite need to test gemstones, especially if they are expensive. Competition, economics, availability and demand have all worked towards the explosion of the gem market. The markets are flooded with gemstones of various hues, brand and breed. Therefore the need to test the authenticity of gemstones is imperative. Insurance too has a hand. They need the gem to be certified.
In the past, it was pretty easy for a trained gemologist to distinguish a flawless gem from a flawed one. There were no synthetic gems during those days. Today however, one has to determine whether a gem is real or not. Trained eyes cannot always avoid error, particularly, if the gem has been manufactured in the laboratory. It becomes a challenging task. Earlier on a magnifying glass was good enough. Presently however, a host of instruments are used, especially if one wants to be absolutely certain of the gem, its history and pedigree.
It is tricky to test a gemstone. Some stones are soft, some are mounted while some can be coated, treated or easily scratched. One has to be very careful so as not to damage the stone in any way. With technology advancing rapidly, the tools used for testing are made to suit ones needs and pockets. Aiding the tools is a wide range of database, which lists the particular characteristics of gems. This is valuable because the markets are deluged with zircons or the synthetic Moissanite, which are look alike diamonds and very difficult to differentiate from a real diamond.
Tools required for testing gemstones
Loupe
Loupe is actually a sophisticated magnifying glass. It magnifies the gemstone in detail. The internal flaws, surface blemishes, cracks and any other cover ups are easily seen. It is a powerful convex lens that produces a magnified image of the gemstone. The standard loupe that used is 10X, which magnifies the gem ten times its size. This standard is mandatory for testing gemstones in the USA.
Color Filter
Color Filter is also called a 'Chelsea Filter' or 'Emerald filter'. This instrument helps in separating natural, synthetic and imitation gem material. It helps in establishing whether similar looking stones exhibiting the same colors are natural or not. It comes handy while dealing with some green, red or blue stones, like blue Spinel and blue Topaz. It detects dyes in gemstones also.
Spectroscope
Spectroscope is also used to separate natural gems from synthetic gemstones. This is used in specialized gem testing laboratories. The differences in the chemical composition are revealed by the absorption spectrum of the light transmitted through the gemstone that is being tested. The instrument breaks up the light that is being transmitted from a gemstone into its spectral colors. This helps in testing the various wavelengths that are being taken in i.e. being absorbed by the gemstone. This indicates the type of elements that are present in the stone, which are absorbing the wavelengths. It allows the gemologist to see which color of light is being absorbed and thus identify the gemstone.
Specific gravity Liquids
Specific gravity Liquids - this is important for identifying a number of gemstones. A carat scale also called hydrostatic balance is used.
X-Rays
X-Rays are sometimes conducted to separate natural pearls from cultured pearls.
Diamond Tester
Diamond Tester is used for testing diamonds. The unit is switched on and the diamond that is to be tested is touched by a pointed tip. A light will come on to indicate if the stone is a genuine diamond or not. It uses thermal conductivity to differentiate diamond from its many stimulants. When the tip is touched to the diamond, the meter will show green if it is a real diamond if not then it will remain in the red zone. This instrument can be used to test the minutest diamond, as small as 0.02 carats. It can also separate colored stones from one another. By merely touching the thermo electric probe to the gemstone, the relative heat conductivity of the material is exhibited on the dial.
These are the basic instruments. There are improved and sophisticated versions of these instruments available in the markets.
0 comments:
Post a Comment