Post subject: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 12:25 pm
Established Member
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:45 pm Posts: 24 Location: UK
Hi,
Having recently got my microscope, I'm starting on the journey of learning to use inclusions to help identify gems/synthetics/treatments. There are a few sites I find really helpful (the ones I know of are listed below, if anyone knows of any more good ones?) and they provide a wealth of inclusion images.
The problem I'd like advice on is quite a simple one and I'm hoping people might have little tips and tricks they use to solve it themselves: how do you hold the hundreds of inclusion images in your head, to match against what you're seeing down the microscope. I'm sure the most correct answer is "experience/practice" but I wondered if people had their own ways of mentally cataloging the types of inclusions, some way of categorizing them?
I'm finding it difficult to look at a magnified gem then keep that image visualized while I click through the inclusion databases trying to make a match.
Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 2:51 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am Posts: 1542
The best resource you can own if you are really interested in the study of inclusions are the three volumes of "Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones" By Dr. Edward Gübelin and John Koivula. They can get pretty expensive on the used market as these are the definitive references on gemstone and mineral inclusions. They have become collector items.
You can buy all three volumes new from the G.I.A. store on line for about $900 for the set.
Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 6:53 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
My M.O. I would recommend starting with the identification of the unknown before using the scope. Polariscope, coniscope, refractometer, SG, hand held spectroscope. Rule out look-a-likes.
If you know it is a sapphire, a topaz, a tsavorite, spinel, etc. and then check it with the scope it will lead to much more insightful observation. It makes determination of synthesis, treatment, possible origin much more reliable.
Post subject: Re: Any pro-tips on identifying inclusions please
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:46 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Mon May 26, 2014 9:42 pm Posts: 1033
1bwana1 wrote:
The best resource you can own if you are really interested in the study of inclusions are the three volumes of "Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones" By Dr. Edward Gübelin and John Koivula. They can get pretty expensive on the used market as these are the definitive references on gemstone and mineral inclusions. They have become collector items.
You can buy all three volumes new from the G.I.A. store on line for about $900 for the set.
They are on sale right now. Something like $770 for all three.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 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