A well equipped state of the art gemological lab would include:

XRF - (Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer)

    A non destructive quantitative bulk chemical analysis technique with the limitation that it will not do light elements (e.g. Be in sapphire and B in tourmaline).

A Raman microscope (Raman microspectrometry)

    A method to identify unknowns of all types (species only) and to also identify near-surface inclusions in gems.

A LIBS (laser induced breakdown spectroscopy) unit

    The least expensive method of identifying Be diffusion treated corundum.

A UV-VIS-NIR (ultraviolet-visible-near infrared) spectrophotometer

    Mainly for sapphire origin reports and also for making other determinations like, diamond spearations, Paraiba tourmaline determinations, emerald origin, dyed jadeite, dyed pearls, color change studies, garnet characterization, etc.

FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer

    Useful for diamond separations, synthetic quartz I.D., turquoise treatment, hydrothermal & natural emerald determination, emerald oiling, etc.

A Diamond View unit for UV fluorescence

    Diamond separations

An x-ray radiography unit for pearls

    Pearl separations (natural vs. cultured, fresh water vs. salt water)

LA-ICP-MS (Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry)

    Advanced and expensive ($400,000) instrument for quantitative chemistry with good light element and trace element capability.

All the instrumentation can be purchased for about $450,000 exclusive of the LA-ICP-MS. The databases necessary, coupled with the experience required to operate the instruments are quite a different thing.

All these techniques and others more esoteric are discussed in my forthcoming book, Gemological Instrumentation.