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 Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:14 am

All times are UTC - 4 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:40 am 
Offline
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type

Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:36 pm
Posts: 8
Can anyone recommend a decent lamp for gem examination? I am thinking of a gooseneck type.
I am a bit confused on the terminology about light- monochromatic, white, natural, different temperatures, etc. Is there a lamp type that works best for general gem examination?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 2:28 pm 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:10 am
Posts: 584
there two bests...one for when you are buying and one for selling lol

look up kelvin scales on lights and learn the difference..2700k will be at the yellowish end of the value and 7000 at the blue end...your question needs to be more specific...are you looking for a light to examine for color or for flaws in the stone?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 2:52 pm 
Offline
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type

Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:36 pm
Posts: 8
So now I need two lamps?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 5:05 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
I use a clamp down task light that has two bulbs in it.

One is a fluorescent tube shaped in a circle. I buy daylight balanced full spectrum bulbs for this one.

In the center is an incandescent bulb, which I fit with a warmer high wattage bulb.

This setup gives me most of the lighting combinations I need when working with stones.

Daylight
Incandescent
Mixed

I am not sure what size town you live in, but if you have a specialty bulb store go there and the staff should be able to get you sorted out. As you are discovering, you cannot just walk into any store and buy a lamp that is good for stone work.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:08 pm 
Offline
Platinum Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:20 am
Posts: 2756
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
FWIW, I just bought an led table lamp with both adjustable color temperature and brightness along with other nice features. It's TaoTronics model TT-DL029, under 40 bucks from Amazon. It has 5 different color temp modes.

_________________
Rick Martin

www.artcutgems.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:44 pm 
Offline
Gold Member

Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am
Posts: 1542
Most of the color temp adjustable LED are great for some things but lacking in others. They are lacking the full spectrum of light, and so do not show realistic colors despite the Kelvin changes. You must pay attention to the LED Color Rendering Index CRI when choosing if you want accurate colors. Stay above 90% at whatever Kelvin you choose.

Lighting is very complicated these days.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 10:08 pm 
Offline
Platinum Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:20 am
Posts: 2756
Location: Southern California, U.S.A.
Good info ibwana. Thanks.

_________________
Rick Martin

www.artcutgems.com


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Lamp for gem examination
PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2018 9:25 am 
Offline
Gemology Online Veteran

Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:10 am
Posts: 584
1bwana1 wrote:

Lighting is very complicated these days.


then you add in what the camera sees compared to your eyes...i had a pink cz i take pics of look almost rootbeer colored


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 4 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 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