Identifying Gemstones

People sometimes by e-mail photos of gems and are asking us to help identify their calculations. We're trying to be helpful, but even the best gemologist in the world can not definitively identify a gem from a photograph. Even the visual inspection of the actual gemstone is rarely sufficient.

The systematic study of gems has come a long way since the days when every attractive red stone has been called a ruby. Today gemologists must be able to identify hundreds of varieties, and to identify a growing list of gem treatments and synthetics. What was once an art has become a science and gemstone identification without careful measurement is only conjecture.

Each type of gemstone has a unique set of physical and optical properties. These include not only the color and luster, but also hardness, specific gravity or density and refractive index. Although different types of precious stones may have about the same weight or the same index of refraction, each type of gem has a unique profile when the results of all tests are considered basic. Just do not try to identify an index of refraction jewelry alone! It could easily be wrong.

Each gem has a unique set of properties as a form of minerals in different environments on earth. They are known to geologists as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

The Gemological basic tools are not hard to learn to use. They include simple 10x lens (a powerful tool in the hands of an expert), the refractometer (for measuring refractive index), the polariscope (for individually identifying and doubly refractive gem), a scale and precision of a 1 / 100th carats (to measure the specific gravity). You can learn to use these tools from Gemological attend a course or even through study and experimentation.

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