Post subject: what magnification do you need to determine heat treat
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 2:47 pm
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Joined: Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:00 am Posts: 1322 Location: Wylie Texas but in Alaska for a while
In a different thread I was asking for help finding someone to verify some rough. They said that many time heat treatment can be determined under magnification. What power of magnification do you usually need to id heat treat in sapphire, and to determine if it is synthetic. Later on I will ask how, but first what power is needed?
I have an old stereo microscope and a few lenses. I can get more lenses, but would want to be sure I am in the correct range.
What other special conditions r=are needed? (special lighting...... )
Post subject: Re: what magnification do you need to determine heat treat
Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:13 pm
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Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 2:18 am Posts: 1542
My microscope goes over 60X, but usually don't need that much. More important is the light stage with a variety of light sources, directions, and types. The ability to position and hold the stone in any orientation. Plus the ability to use immersion cells.
Post subject: Re: what magnification do you need to determine heat treat
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2022 5:46 pm
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I agree. High magnification is not the ticket. Immersion with methylene iodide is extremely useful especially when separating flux grown and hydrothermal saphs from natural. I have had good luck seeing curved striae with diffused lighting created with something as simple as tissue paper on top of the light well.
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