Traditional Gemological Equipment

Traditional gemological tools and methods play an important role in determining the nature of mineral
species, which mainly involve determining the physical and optical constants and comparing with tables
of their standards, available in common gemological texts. These mainly provide qualitative information
but still considered as important tools for gem identification. The most commonly tools used are
Polariscope, Dichroscope, Refractometer, Spectroscope, UV lamp and Specific gravity measurements.

a) Polariscope:
PIC Polariscope

The Polariscope is used to test the optical properties of gemstones and determine whether a stone
is singly refractive, doubly refractive or is an aggregate. Doubly refractive stones may be divided
further as to whether they are uniaxial or biaxial. The polariscope may also be used to detect
pleochroism in doubly refractive colored stones. Diamond cutters use the polariscope to determine
the strain characteristics of diamonds.