Category: Research Techniques

DESCRIPTION

This image concerns quench crackled quartz, top picture is an imitation for ruby and the bottom one is an imitation for emerald.

Both gemstones were observed on microscope in immersion cell (Benzyl Benzoate) using transmitted diffused light. The picture was taken through the ocular out of loose hand. It clearly shows the advantage of an immersion cell microscope as the dye can be observed as if it was “floating” in liquid, without having the disturbance of facet edges or internal reflections of light in the gemstone.

This image shows a Lily Pad inclusion in peridot. One can notice that only the inclusion itself can be seen. The Lily Pad was observed on microscope without the use of immersion cell. Two very small fiber optic lights were used to only highlight the inclusion by it self. By using this technique one can avoid the hazard of internal reflections. The image was captured with a digital ocular of Kern & Sohn, which allows working in very low light conditions.