I have just bought a Refractometer and having problems with the index fluid supplied. After I've applied the fluid to the gem and taken the reading I find that when I remove the gem and dry it off there is yellow staining which I can't remove. I wonder if anyone has any advice.
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 11:00 am Posts: 1133 Location: Monterey, CA
The stain is sulfur. I don't know how to remove it. Maybe someone else has a solution. In the future, don't uses the stuff, use Methylene Iodide and the B/D ratio until you figure out what you can or can't do with that instrument.
Hi Isi, The staining was on the stone which was an agate. I can't see any staining on the refractometer, but that is black so it wouldn't show. I didn't get any on my hands. Thanks.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
What have you used to try to remove it? Sulfur is much softer than agate, you should be able to rub it off......I'd love to see a picture of this staining.
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:29 pm Posts: 1047 Location: Paris
Maybe the agate is a very porous one, and it has "drunk" the liquid. I find it a bit surprising, but then some agates are easily dyed so why not.
Some sensitive stones don't make good friends with the refractometer liquid, such as turquoise or opal, so maybe something of the sort happened to the agate.
Hi Barbara, It was only a small test piece, and as I couldnt really make use of it, I've thrown it away. If it happens again I'll take a photo and post it here. Thanks everyone for the advice. Still trying to find a defining line in the refractometer index. Hopefully I will in time.
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