SG liquid

[mortal]

can anyone out there describe SG liquid. what is it like and is it dangerous (toxic?) stuff to work with? do you have to take special precautions when working with it? Is it basically all the same chemical or are there variations used throughout the trade?
thank you
Bill

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

There has been other discussions - do a search.

Avoid them if possible.

 

[oldminer]

Most SG liquids Gemologists use are carcinogens and hazardous. One could make up a few that would not be such as using water, olive oil, motor oil, etc. You would need a way to calibrate or measure their relative specific gravity, but all of this is quite possible and not highly techincal. Gemologists prefer to purchase sets of calibrated liqiuds in a kit of 5 bottles with two adjusting liquids that increase or decrease SG.

I pretty much do without needing SG liquids more than a few times per year. There are some much more elegant ways to identify most, but not all, gem materials.

 

[StevL]

And you can do without the SG liquids forever if you simply weigh the stone in water and then in air. You can reverse the order if you like