Post subject: Newbie: most useful instruments on limited budget
Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 8:40 pm
Established Member
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:57 pm Posts: 14
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I might like to try wto identify some colored stones in some antique jewelry. I have a loupe. Would that be enough? I was wondering what are the most useful instruments to buy on a very limited budget.
A loupe in the hands of a trained gemmologist might be enough to identify some stones because of certain inclusions in stones (horsetail in demantoid, tiger stripes in amethyst etc.) but is usually only one part of the process to identify any gemstones. If they're going to be mounted in jewellery it limits some of the tests you can do. Ideally you would be able to get an RI as that's one of the best things to get but unless you find a decent Refractometer used they aren't really ideal for those on a budget (I bought mine new on special for about $500 CAD).
If you're determined to test mounted jewellery first then a spectroscope, dichroscope and polariscope are pretty much the minimum tests you'd need to start helping you identify some stones. Colour filters like the CCF and any of the H/H filters would be useful as well but are only indicators, never definitive. Personally I'd recommend trying to get used to identifying unmounted stones first as you can then rig up a simple SG machine with a decent scale which would really help identify the stones.
If you have any other questions on it though please post and we'll be happy to help.
Post subject: Re: Newbie: most useful instruments on limited budget
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:26 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
RH25 wrote:
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I might like to try wto identify some colored stones in some antique jewelry. I have a loupe. Would that be enough? I was wondering what are the most useful instruments to buy on a very limited budget.
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