Instrument Accessories

Gemmology means and is the "Science of Gemstones" and, one could say, part of Geology as a whole. Gemological examinations are based on analyzing the optical, physical and chemical properties of stones to distinguish them. The instruments also help to distinguish natural gemstones from synthetic ones and reveal whether they have been colored or treated. Here is an overview of the most common tools and digital devices used.

Basic optical and physical instruments

Jeweler's loupe (10x magnification): The most important tool. Used to study inclusions, cracks and cutting quality.

Refractometer: Measures the refractive index of the stone, which is one of the most crucial values ??for identifying which mineral or type of gemstone you have in front of you.

Polariscope: Used to see if the stone is single-refractive (e.g. diamond, garnet) or double-refractive (e.g. sapphire, ruby) and to reveal internal stresses.

Dichroscope: A small tube that shows two different colors at the same time if the stone is pleochroic (changes color depending on the angle of view), common in things like tanzanite.

Spectroscopy and Light

Spectroscope: A tool that reveals which wavelengths of light a stone absorbs. This gives you a "fingerprint profile" that can reveal trace elements and whether the color is natural.

UV lamp: Measures the fluorescence of the stone. Many stones glow bright colors (such as red or blue) under ultraviolet light, which provides strong clues about their origin or treatment.

Chelsea filter: A classic color filter that was originally developed to distinguish real emeralds from imitations.

Digital measuring and testing instruments

Digital diamond testers (such as Presidium): Handheld devices that measure thermal conductivity and sometimes electrical conductivity. They quickly distinguish a real diamond from synthetic imitations such as cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Digital microscopes: Used for in-depth studies of inclusions and growth patterns. Many can be connected directly to a computer for photo documentation.

Advanced digital detectors (Presidium, etc.): Portable devices with advanced light technology used professionally to distinguish natural diamonds from lab-grown (synthetic) diamonds or stones that have undergone high-pressure treatment (HPHT).