Gem identification kits?

[RevolutionGems]

I have several gem tools from prettyrock and their products are very good and they are just great to deal with. Very responsive and knowlegeable. I was looking at that kit myself. and I am seriously considering GIAs online GG course.

 

[Largosmom]

What is an OPL? Is a prism spectroscope better or easier to use than a diffraction grating one? I know I should be looking for a refractometer...but I''m still fascinated by the spectrum!

Thanks for all the extra sources...got some shopping to do later this week! Guess I also need to monitor ebay more closely.

Laura

 

[tsavvy]

It is my understanding that historically prism spectroscopes have been easier to use than diffraction grating spectroscopes, but that the newer diffraction grating spectroscopes are pretty good. The benefits of a prism spectroscope are that some have a scale and that the blue area of the spectrum is more spread out and can be more easily viewed. However, most good prism spectroscopes are significantly more expensive than a the diffraction grating version. OPL makes both a pocket model and table model diffraction grating spectroscope - I think both need a separate light source that does not come with the spectroscope. This prism spectroscope looks like a really good deal, too.

On a separate note, this darkfield loupe also functions as a polariscope which seems really useful if you don''t want to lug a lot of equipment around.