This site exists principally to support interest in gem instruments and advanced analytical equipment in gemology, mineralogy and gemological research. For more details please see the instrumentation section where you can learn to use basic gem instruments or understand more about advanced research instrumentation.

Also on the site is a casual blog, some information on gem cutting equipment with samples of stones I have cut and some details on a book I once was interested in writing entitled Gemological Instrumentation. There is also a brief research section.

I believe my gem lab constitutes the most advanced private, non-commercial gem lab in existence.  I do electron probe microanalysis, secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectroscopy  (LA-ICP-MS) and Raman microspectroscopy, as well as UV-VIS-NIR and FTIR spectrophotometry and x-ray diffraction work. I own and operate an electron microprobe, a Renishaw confocal Raman microscope, four UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometers, a Thermo Magna FTIR system, a LIBS (laser induced breakdown spectroscopy) unit and a Shimadzu 730 energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer for quantitative chemical analysis. I have been trained to operate SIMS & XRD equipment and I have access to that instrumentation as well. At one time I had aspirations of opening a commercial gem research lab, but my main job of running a series of subsea technology companies (e.g. tritonsubs.com, poseidonresorts.com) has taken precedence.

I am a Past-President of the U.S. Faceter’s Guild and have a standing offer to do gem I.D. work at no cost to USFG members in my research lab. I can be reached via e-mail at: bruce@gemscientist.com. 

                                          – L. Bruce Jones, G.G., F.G.A., D.Gem.G.