Basic "Gemologist Kit"

[rparker1998]

For someone who will eventually get their GG - but doesn''t have a lot of money to sink into equipment yet - what would be the top 5 items one would have that would cost say, less than 200.00 all in all?

Obviously:

1.) Loupe - Check - 10x triplet hastings B&L Loupe purchased

2.) Tweezers - Locking - Check

3.) Darkfield Illuminator - Suggestion Welcome

4.)

5.)

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

for colored gems - small pocket torch does what darkfield does, chelsea filter, handheld spectrascope and blu tac (UK / Assuie trade name - like plasticine to cement gem over lens so no other light gets in)

for diamonds and or gems - little LED UV fluoro, ideal-scope, ASET (I sell both so i am biased).

If you can get the oldfashioned secondhand only galvaonmeter style heat conductivity tester - they can descriminate many diamond simulants and sort corundum from other colored gems.

 

[denverappraiser]

5 tools is a pretty short list and what you’ll need will depend on your circumstances. The tools to take on a buying trip into the field are different from the tools needed to sit at home and pass the GG tests. It’s a problem to limit it to 5 tools and your budget really is a bit tight but here’s a list that’ll get you through most of the exams with a bit of difficulty.

Quality loupe and tweezers.
You’ve already got one but for the sake of others who might read this, here's. some examples.

A micrometer, leverage gauge or similar precision measuring device. Example here.

Small handheld flashlight

A decent digital scale

Handheld spectroscope

(What Garry is calling blu tac is sold as sticky tack around here. Office supply stores have it.)

Some various filters, particularly some polarizers, are very handy and not very expensive as well as a dichroscope.

All of these things periodically turn up on ebay and similar second-hand sources if you watch carefully. That may get you close to your budget.

Here's the definitive book on how to do gemology on the cheap. You may be able to find it in your local library or pick it up used somewhere. It's out of print but supposedly is coming back soon.


Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[rparker1998]

Thank you for the replys. I think I may have asked my question not quite right. Let me try it this way.

What would be a basic 'kit' for someone intersted in colored stones and diamonds. Obviously, loupe and tweezers.

I basically want to use these tools to examine gemstones prior to possibly purchasing.

Would a Chelsea filter be of benefit for emeralds and rubies and other colored stones? http://www.kassoy.com/chelsea-color-filter.html

What about this light I purchased? is it beneficial for anything or did I waste 15.00? http://www.kassoy.com/hirl-transmission-light.html How would I use this to determine cracks inclusions?

What about this spectrascope? http://www.kassoy.com/spectroscope-direct-vision.html

And I'm thinking about replacing the previously mentioned loupe with this one: http://www.kassoy.com/kassoy-l609-series-jewelers-loupes.html

What could be used for detecting treatments? (Heat? Fillers?) without having to send it to a lab..what characteristics would give you a clue besides color...like a rainbow flash? etc....For detecting fake vs real? http://www.kassoy.com/darkfield-loupe-and-light.html

Is this making more sense?

If anyone else can relate to what I am trying to ask and can verbalize it a little better please feel free..

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I think you have the advice you need and now you need to learn how to use the tools and then dcide what you will use the most.
The answers are going to require us teaching you what the toys are for