January 24 Through February 4—TUCSON, ARIZONA: Annual show
Welcome to the GemologyOnline.com Forum
A non-profit Forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:37 pm

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:25 pm 
Offline
Established Member

Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:45 pm
Posts: 24
Location: UK
Hi,

Having recently got my microscope, I'm starting on the journey of learning to use inclusions to help identify gems/synthetics/treatments. There are a few sites I find really helpful (the ones I know of are listed below, if anyone knows of any more good ones?) and they provide a wealth of inclusion images.

The problem I'd like advice on is quite a simple one and I'm hoping people might have little tips and tricks they use to solve it themselves: how do you hold the hundreds of inclusion images in your head, to match against what you're seeing down the microscope. I'm sure the most correct answer is "experience/practice" but I wondered if people had their own ways of mentally cataloging the types of inclusions, some way of categorizing them?

I'm finding it difficult to look at a magnified gem then keep that image visualized while I click through the inclusion databases trying to make a match.

http://www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/ ... on-gallery
https://www.geminterest.com/inclist.php
https://www.gems-inclusions.com/inclusi ... o-gallery/
http://www.gemstonebasics.com/main/phot ... raphy.html

As always, thank you in advance for any experience you can share,
Dan

_________________
My eBay shop can be found via the following link:
UKGemmology


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 1:08 pm 
Offline
Active Member

Joined: Sat May 21, 2011 7:09 am
Posts: 77
Location: Italy
Hi,
I think the wrong way is to hold thousands of images in your head.

You have to understand HOW and WHAT.

How they do synthetics Verneuil ? This growing process generate striae.

What happens to an inclusion crystal when heated ? It melt and create halo.

And so on.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:51 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
The best resource you can own if you are really interested in the study of inclusions are the three volumes of "Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones" By Dr. Edward Gübelin and John Koivula. They can get pretty expensive on the used market as these are the definitive references on gemstone and mineral inclusions. They have become collector items.

You can buy all three volumes new from the G.I.A. store on line for about $900 for the set.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:53 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
My M.O.
I would recommend starting with the identification of the unknown before using the scope.
Polariscope, coniscope, refractometer, SG, hand held spectroscope. Rule out look-a-likes.

If you know it is a sapphire, a topaz, a tsavorite, spinel, etc. and then check it with the scope it will lead to much more insightful observation. It makes determination of synthesis, treatment, possible origin much more reliable.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:58 am 
Offline
Established Member

Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:45 pm
Posts: 24
Location: UK
Thank you everyone, that gives me some insight into how other people approach it.

I've got a permanent search running for the Photoatlas books, but you're right about the price!

_________________
My eBay shop can be found via the following link:
UKGemmology


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:48 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
Posts: 21602
Location: San Francisco
Excellent related article, if you haven't already read it:


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
PostPosted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:46 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Mon May 26, 2014 9:42 pm
Posts: 1033
1bwana1 wrote:
The best resource you can own if you are really interested in the study of inclusions are the three volumes of "Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones" By Dr. Edward Gübelin and John Koivula. They can get pretty expensive on the used market as these are the definitive references on gemstone and mineral inclusions. They have become collector items.

You can buy all three volumes new from the G.I.A. store on line for about $900 for the set.



They are on sale right now. Something like $770 for all three.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 16 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Gemology Style ported to phpBB3 by Christian Bullock