Hello Dave, yes I definitely agree with you - I just visited them today and saw the testing equipment there. They have a modern Minipal 2 EDXRF machine and an IR Prestige 2 FTIR machine plus all the standard gemmological testing equipment /Leica microscopes etc. They actually saved me from buying a (near flawless) light element treated 7.4ct sapphire in Jaipur (which was being sold as untreated!) as they clearly state probable beryllium/light element treatment on their cert for sapphires (cannot check for Be/Li directly but can detect structural changes it causes apparantly - you boffins will know more about that). Dont do origins, but have good database of treatments built up over last 10 years I believe. Concerning emeralds will state oil/resin or no detected treatment (not quantitative minor/moderate etc) - I saw the detection peaks for oil on one stone they were testing there. Cannot check for irradiation so will only state natural or not on topaz etc. It is a government (ministry of commerce and industry) sponsored lab and Gagan Choudhary (deputy director) was most friendly and helpful when I just turned up out of the blue. They also have a well stocked reference library of gemmological titles which is free and open to the public to browse in house. Given the equipment there, to me it is excellent value at just $15 (700 rupees) for a full sized colour photo cert, with a 20% reduction for members. I have got a lot of certs done in Bangkok and elsewhere never less than $40 for a decent lab with advanced equipment for a full sized photo cert. Like many other people I am sure, I had never been aware that a well equipped lab was in Jaipur - actually your comment made me check it out thanks.
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:06 am Posts: 418 Location: uk
Hi Chris pleased that my post as been of some help to you. I can remember when Shyamala Fernandes used to run the Lab by her self, and did not have much gem equipment One still gets such good personal service from Gagan and the lady gemologist
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:06 am Posts: 418 Location: uk
Hi I was using the small library at the Jaipur, gem testing Lab. as I was doing some research for a artical, i was writing for the UK mag Rock n Gems . They had a very interesting book on Jaipur and Emeralds. I recommmmend this book. It is the Emerald Book by Yogi Duriabhjs Shyamala Fernandes & Ruchi Durlabhji
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2007 8:06 am Posts: 418 Location: uk
Pleased You like the Gem-Lab Rushi You can use the small library there, they have some good books, lots of good information especially on Emerald as the history of emeralds and Jaipur goes back to the Mughals, and Maharaja Jai Singh who founded Jaipur
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