Conventional gemological equipment

People often inquire as to the conventional gem lab equipment that I use and so I am providing a list of “everyday” equipment that I own and operate. Because I was at one time contemplating  writing a book on gem instruments I have an overabundance of instrumentation in some categories. No one really needs ten different spectroscopes, yet I admit to having collected stranger things in the past.

This list does not include any advanced analytical equipment.

The list is in order of my preference, the best instruments, in my opinion, are listed first.

But first a word about the lab environment. I have found that analyzing gems, engaging in gemmological research and certainly cutting gemstones is demanding, thirsty work. So, my first step is setting up a gem lab is to have the appropriate “libation station” in the immediate vicinity. So, here is the bar, complete with ice maker, refrigerator, wine cooler, microwave, sink and over 70 different kinds of liquor. The added benefit is that sometimes people will actually visit you when you’re working, just to “see how the research is coming.”

REFRACTOMETERS

1. 1.Rayner Dialdex (new)
   

1. Eickhorst SR-XS  w/M4 base (new)

2. & 3. Gemological Products Gem Pro (2)

4. 4.GIA Duplex II (new)
   

5. 5.Generic Chinese unit w/lightsource built-in
   

6. 6.Chinese Digital Refractomer (IR reflectometer)
   

7. 7.Antique Rayner Refractometer
   

8. 8.Antique GIA Gem Refractometer
   

Selection of various bandpass filters & contact

liquids.

MICROSCOPES & BASES

1. Zeiss Stemi V-8 w/photoport and Gem Pro

    darkfield base & selection of oculars

2. Eickhorst horizontal immersionscope with

    B&L Stereozoom head, polarizers, etc.

3. 3.Gem Oro Elite 1067 ZX
   

4. 4.Meiji ML-9200 Polarizing binocular
   

    microscope for geologic thin sections
Various measuring reticles, gauges,

spindle stage, etc.

SPECTROSCOPES & BASES

1. IGI Challenger Gemological Spectrometer

2. IGI MDM Advanced Spectroscope

3. Eickhorst M9 Modular 100W base fitted with

    Zeiss Winkel Prism unit with scale

4. 4.OPL Teaching spectroscope (diffraction)
   

5. 5.Beck Hartridge Reversion spectroscope
   

6. 6.Beck prism spectroscope
   

7. 7.Krüss prism spectroscope
   

8. 8. Lafayette direct reading spectroscope with
   

    scale and cuvettes

9. 9.ISG spectroscope base w/ generic prism
   

    spectroscope

10. 10.Table Spectrometer
    Assorted color filters
    

SPECTROPHOTOMETERS

Ocean Optics S-2000 spectrophotometer w/

assorted software

GL Gem Spectrometer w/ asstd software

BALANCES & ACCESSORIES

1. 1.Sartorius carat analytical balance (0.001 ct)
   

2. 2.Mettler top loading scientific analytical
   

    balance (0.0001 g)

3. VS-JG carat balance (0.01 ct)

4. Mineralab direct reading specific gravity

    balance

Mineralab specific gravity kit