Post subject: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Tue May 01, 2018 3:46 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:20 pm Posts: 15
Hi, I want to learn immersion cell techniques for finding diffusion on sapphires. I am looking for a guide. Can anyone provide links of any guides/videos it will be really helpful. Also, i want to buy an immersion cell for my Motic GM171 Microscope. Can anyone help me with some link where i can buy a universal kit.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 11:46 am
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I use a horizontal scope custom designed by Scarani, similar to this http://www.eickhorst.com/en/gem-microsc ... /features/ I was trained on a horizontal scope, but I don't necessarily recommend investing in one if you are not familiar with it
If you have a vertical scope one simply balances a container of immersion fluids on the light well. This set-up is from the gemoaid link I posted, which I'm sure is well explained in the instructions for the kit.
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Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 12:02 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
With all due respect, Rich, re-reading your previous posts, you claim to be "new" to gemology yet you want to set up a gemlab. Diamond masters vs colorimeters? How to identify diffusion? Diffraction vs. Grating spectroscope?
My friend, one can spend all the money in the world on instrumentation, but it is experience and technique which makes one qualified to operate a gemlab.
Have you ever used these instruments? What training do you have?
I'm thinking little to none. Analogous to buying a lab coat, scalpel and a stethoscope and opening up a medical lab.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 11:25 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:20 pm Posts: 15
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
With all due respect, Rich, re-reading your previous posts, you claim to be "new" to gemology yet you want to set up a gemlab. Diamond masters vs colorimeters? How to identify diffusion? Diffraction vs. Grating spectroscope?
My friend, one can spend all the money in the world on instrumentation, but it is experience and technique which makes one qualified to operate a gemlab.
Have you ever used these instruments? What training do you have?
I'm thinking little to none. Analogous to buying a lab coat, scalpel and a stethoscope and opening up a medical lab.
Sir, I am a graduate gemologist from International Gemological Institute. I am a gemstone appraiser as well. These equipments are not just for a gem lab, but for my personal use as well when i buy the stones and sell it. Here a gem lab means i am not issuing any certificates. Apart from all this, I got a lot of interest in science behind gemstone identification and treatments. Now, regarding my posts and questions, I am slowly and steadily investing in equipments which i feel i need for identification at that point for eg. I want to be sure on diffusion treatments on my sapphires i buy and sell so i am investing and learning the method since this method was not covered in my formal study of GG. I am looking forward for more advanced formal studies as well in the field of gemstones.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 12:22 pm
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Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:20 pm Posts: 15
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
Madam, we are happy to give you direction and instructions on equipment use. You just seem to be a bit in the dark for a gemmo.
Sorry for that "sir" , ma'am, i didn't check that before posting. Thank you so much for your support. As mentioned earlier, I am new in this field and i have limited and only knowledge of what all equipment I have learned in my GG. So i am only left with learning other techniques online and this forum and specially you ma'am, always come to my rescue.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 12:45 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
As far as diffusion in sapphire, the older examples of surficial diffusion saphs were easily identified with simple immersion in baby oil. Caveat, the later diffused sapphires have the color going all the way through. Immersion isn't helpful.
The issue that I am seeing today in many commercial grade stones of all types is filler, both colorless and colored fillers. A filler enters through surface reaching cracks to hide those surface reaching cracks. For that, your microscope, dark field illumination is your best friend.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 6:03 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:20 pm Posts: 2659
Methylene Iodide spontaneously decomposes. Get a copper scouring pad or some tin granules and drop it in and it will scavenge the iodine and clarify the MI. No need to return it.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 11:41 pm
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Joined: Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:20 pm Posts: 15
G4Lab wrote:
Methylene Iodide spontaneously decomposes. Get a copper scouring pad or some tin granules and drop it in and it will scavenge the iodine and clarify the MI. No need to return it.
Yes i was advised this by a fellow. I tried it for 24 hours but nothing happened. So i returned it and now i am waiting for the replacement. Though i will do it precautionary.
Post subject: Re: Immersion cell gemology for beginner
Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 5:57 pm
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Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:20 pm Posts: 2659
The brown is elemental iodine. It attacks the copper or tin granules which have to be shiny. It takes a little while but it does work. It may not work on all RI liquids though but on pure MI it should work. IF they sent you pure MI.
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