Several Gem Identification Tools You Should Know
There is nothing more important to a gemologist that his or her gemological testing equipment. For some this may mean a lot of expensive and cumbersome equipment. For others it may mean only a few instruments carried in a shirt pocket.
Refractometer
One of the most important tools in the gemologist's tool set. The refractometer can give you the refractive index including the optic character and sign of the gemstones, if you are properly trained. But far too many people think you just put the stone on the refractometer, read the RI and make the identificatin.
Polariscope
The polariscope is a critical piece of equipment for any gemologist's office. It can easily identify single and double refractive gemstones, and in many cases allow you to view the optic interference figure and give you the optic character of the gemstone.
Chelsea Filter
Never, never, never leave home without your Chelsea Filter. As a GIA Graduate Gemologist I can attest to why the GG's of this world do not understand the Chelsea Filter...the GIA does not teach it properly. It is perceived as some ancient filter once used to ID synthetic emeralds.
Spectroscope
Never, never, never leave home without your spectroscope. Unfortunately, this is another piece of equipment that the GIA falls far short with their training. A gemologist that is well trained with a simple hand held spectroscope can identify so many, many gemstones that it might amaze you.
These are the basics when it comes to gemological equipment. How much or how little of it all you need will depend on how experienced and how well trained you are as a gemologist.
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