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Gemology
Gem ology or gem m ology is the science dealing with natural and artificial gemstone materials. It is considered a geoscience and a branch of mineralogy . Some jewelers (and many non
jewelers) are academically trained gemologists and are qualified to identify and ev aluate gems. [1 ][2 ]
Contents
Background
Gemological instruments
General identification of gems
Identification by refractive index
Identification by specific gravity
Identification by spectroscopy
Identification by inclusions
Institutes, laboratories, schools, and publications
References
A selection of gemstone pebbles made by tumbling
rough rock with abrasive grit in a rotating drum. The
Background biggest pebble here is 40 millimetres (1.6 in) long.
Rudimentary education in gemology for jewelers and gemologists began in the nineteenth century , but the first qualifications were instigated after the National Association of Goldsmiths of
Great Britain (NAG) set up a Gemmological Committee for this purpose in 1908. This committee matured into the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (also known as Gem-A), now an educational charity and accredited awarding body
with its courses taught worldwide. The first US graduate of Gem-A's Diploma Course, in 1929, was Robert Shipley , who later established both the Gemological Institute of America and the American Gem Society . There are now sev eral
professional schools and associations of gemologists and certification programs around the world.
The first gemological laboratory serv ing the jewelry trade was established in London in 1925, prompted by the influx of the newly dev eloped "cultured pearl" and adv ances in the sy nthesis of rubies and
sapphires. [3 ] There are now numerous gem laboratories around the world requiring ev er more adv anced equipment and experience to identify the new challenges - such as treatments to gems, new
sy nthetics, and other new materials.
It is often difficult to obtain an expert judgement from a neutral laboratory . Analy sis and estimation in the gemstone trade usually hav e to take place on site. Professional gemologists and gemstone
buy ers use mobile laboratories, which pool all necessary instruments in a trav el case. Such so-called trav el labs ev en hav e their own current supply , which makes them independent from
infrastructure. They are also suitable for gemological expeditions.
Gemstones are basically categorized based on their cry stal structure, specific grav ity , refractiv e index, and other optical properties, such as pleochroism. The phy sical property of "hardness" is defined
by the non-linear Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
Gemologists study these factors while v aluing or appraising cut and polished gemstones. Gemological microscopic study of the internal structure is used to determine whether a gem is sy nthetic or
natural by rev ealing natural fluid inclusions or partially melted exogenous cry stals that are ev idence of heat treatment to enhance color.
The spectroscopic analy sis of cut gemstones also allows a gemologist to understand the atomic structure and identify its origin, which is a major factor in v aluing a gemstone. For example, a ruby from Gemmological travel lab KA52KRS
Burma will hav e definite internal and optical activ ity v ariance from a Thai ruby .
When the gemstones are in a rough state, the gemologist studies the external structure; the host rock and mineral association; and natural and polished color. Initially , the stone is identified by its color, refractiv e index, optical character,
specific grav ity , and examination of internal characteristics under magnification.
Gemological instruments
Gemologists use a v ariety of tools and equipment which allow for the accurate tests to be performed in order to identify a gemstone by its specific characteristics and properties.
These include:
Polarising filter
Magnifying eyepiece
Contact liquid for RI (refractive index) up to 1.81
Polariscope
And, as with all naturally occurring materials, no two gems are identical. The geological env ironment they are created in influences the ov erall process so that although the basics can be identified, the presence of chemical "impurities" and
substitutions along with structural imperfections create "indiv iduals".
Specific grav ity is measured by comparing the weight of the gem in air with the weight of the gem suspended in water. Traditional handheld refractometer
Identification by spectroscopy
This method uses a similar principle to how a prism works to separate white light into its component colors. A gemological spectroscope is employ ed to analy ze the selectiv e absorption of light in the gem material. Essentially , when light passes
from one medium to another, it bends. Blue light bends more than red light. How much the light bends will v ary depending on the gem material. Coloring agents or chromophores show bands in the spectroscope and indicate which element is
responsible for the gem's color.
Identification by inclusions
Inclusions can help gemologists to determine whether or not a gemstone is natural, sy nthetic or treated (i.e. fracture-filled or heated).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemology 1/2
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References
1. "Gemologist" (http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/199281010.html). Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Photius Coutsoukis and Information Technology Associates. 2003. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
2. "An Introduction To Gemology - International Gem Society" (https://www.gemsociety.org/article/an-introduction-to-gemology/). International Gem Society. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
3. Read, Peter G. (2005). Gemmology (https://books.google.com/books?id=t-OQO3Wk-JsC&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=gemological+laboratory+of+London+1925&source=bl&ots=p1I02yDDm0&sig=buy7sBvHutGxg7OzDlWSbHuo8ng&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUK
Ewjhz_W4jPrVAhVk8IMKHbCKBEwQ6AEITzAK#v=onepage&q=gemological%20laboratory%20of%20London%201925&f=false). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 9780750664493.
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