Inorganic Gemstones

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Advanced Techniques

The need for more precise techniques for identification of gemstones, synthetics and enhancements has led to the usage of advanced and sophisticated equipment. Most of these techniques are based on the spectroscopic properties of gemstones. Though there are a number of different methods, almost all work on the same basic principle.

A comparitive look at the advanced techniques

Instrument Excitation Source Targeted Area Application
FT-IR Spectrometery Infra Red Beams Molecules and Atomic Groups Molecular Analysis
LRS Laser Beams Structural Bonding Molecular Analysis
UV-VIS-NIR Spectroscopy UV and Visible Light Electrons in the outer most shell Colouring agents and Chromophores
EDXRF Spectroscopy X-Rays Inner Electrons Chemical Identification
SEM Electrons Specimen Surface Composition

Did you know?

Jewellery is one of the most bought products online. An estimated $1 billion USD of diamonds are bought annually via the Internet. Over 40 million people use the Internet to trade!

In Germany, the garland of ambers is hung around the necks of the infants, so that their teeth might come out without much trouble.

In Turkey, people fix a piece of amber in the hubble-bubble, dogged by an age old belief that the presence of the jewel would destroy all the germs and no disease would spread, even after many have dragged their puffs from it.

In Greece, people think if wine is poured into the cups made of amethyst, one does not get drunk after drinking that.

In Rome, a talisman having coral pieces is considered very auspicious to quell the bad spells of evil look. The Romans were in the habit of hanging chains made of ancient coral pieces from the cradle of the infants to protect them from evil effects.

In China, people wear rings studded with tiny conch or oyster shells as they believe it cures all aches such as stomach ache, worms and like.

In India, pendants made of silver and studded with pearls are hung from the necks of the children to save them from any bad effects.

Greeks still believe, if women wear blue sapphires then no sense of immorality would pollute their mind nor can any fear of the supernatural can trouble them.

The Pope Innocent III had circulated an order asking all the priests wear blue sapphire, so that morality can be strengthened.

It is said about turquoise, that when the stone changes its color into yellow, it actually signals bad times to the person who wears it.

It is believed that a turquoise gifted to a friend or a lover turns his or her life into one of happiness and good luck.

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