We use 1.81 for our needs, why all the other wts. of RI fluids? or do we use them also for specific occasions?
Hi,
I watched the tutorial and now have a Reftactometer and Polariscope. I have no refractive index fluid. I have questions similar to Dan&Sally. I take it that 1.81 fluid is the most common for use with a Refractometer? But I also see there are sets of various other refractive fluid (very expensive) one can purchase.
So am I good just to buy 1.81 Fluid for my Reftactometer? Question #2, are all the other various refractive fluids also used in Gemology?
Post subject: Re: Tutorial on Using a Reftactometer
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 12:22 am
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Cargille laboratories gem refractive 1.81 is what we use for all are stone identification. Why all the others? Probably many scientific purposes as to their use. [url] https://www.cargille.com/refractive-ind ... 1945d-327f[/url] Some offered on Amazon cheaper but not sure of quality in use. I purchased a cheap RI unit some time ago came with a fluid, reads good around 1.52 to 1.58 but before or after results are sketchy. This is on both the cheap unit and the GIA unit. So I believe the quality is detrimental. But hey who knows get what you pay for?
Cargille laboratories gem refractive 1.81 is what we use for all are stone identification. Why all the others? Probably many scientific purposes as to their use. [url] https://www.cargille.com/refractive-ind ... 1945d-327f[/url] Some offered on Amazon cheaper but not sure of quality in use. I purchased a cheap RI unit some time ago came with a fluid, reads good around 1.52 to 1.58 but before or after results are sketchy. This is on both the cheap unit and the GIA unit. So I believe the quality is detrimental. But hey who knows get what you pay for?
Thanks much glhays.
I paid a bit more and got a GIA unit per your recommendation of sorts. I liked also that the GIA unit had a lot of information inscribed in the side of it. I will strive to get quality fluid. I figure I'm already handicapped by my inexperience and age so I don't want to add any more potential problems to the mix.
Post subject: Re: Tutorial on Using a Reftactometer
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 12:32 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
The GIA only accepts a very limited variety of refractometers to be used in their courses. Their Duplex may be one of the only ones which is acceptable to them. Now, if they would just train their students not to abuse the hemicylindars it would be a perfect world.
Post subject: Re: Tutorial on Using a Reftactometer
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 1:40 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Barbra Voltaire, FGG wrote:
The GIA only accepts a very limited variety of refractometers to be used in their courses. Their Duplex may be one of the only ones which is acceptable to them. Now, if they would just train their students not to abuse the hemicylindars it would be a perfect world.
Yes, I am like one of those. Not very kind placing a polished surface of a piece of rough with sharp edges on or off. Why I am forbidden to use the gemologist's unit.
Post subject: Re: Tutorial on Using a Reftactometer
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:38 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21600 Location: San Francisco
Yes, a delicate touch, minimal RI liquid and you can have an intact hemicylinder for decades. The Wildman GemPro comes with Schott glass which is super hard.
Yes, a delicate touch, minimal RI liquid and you can have an intact hemicylinder for decades. The Wildman GemPro comes with Schott glass which is super hard.
German Schott glass is high quality! It's what you sometimes see in higher end rifle scopes and spotting scopes.
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