Specifically looking at the issue of examining a stone for growth lines and color banding, I've heard that using methylene iodide immersion is the way to go. I understand its better than water, but by how much? With stones like corundum and chrysoberyl, is water going to help at all?
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
The purpose of immersing something in a liquid is to limit reflection and make inclusions and internal characteristics more apparent. Methylene Iodide is a preferable liquid for corundum and chrysoberyl because its refractive index is very close to those materials. When you submerge these gems in methylene iodide they essentially disappear so that all you see are internal characteristics such as inclusions or growth features. For emerald, benzyl benzoate is the liquid of choice as its RI is very close to beryl.
I have never used water, but I have used baby oil in a pinch.
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