Digital Spectroscope

There are several ways of identifying colored gemstones and diamonds. The most accurate means is through spectral analysis. Every material that transmits, reflects or emits light has a unique signature due to the chemical makeup of the object’s material. When ‘white’ light (the light the human eye is able to perceive) is passed through or reflected from an object, certain colors are absorbed and others are transmitted or reflected. This is what gives any viewed object its perceived color. For identification of gemstones, we are most interested in what part of the continuous white light spectrum is absorbed. Each chemical element that makes up a gemstone absorbs light at very specific wavelengths. Therefore, each material has a special signature that is as unique and identifiable as a human fingerprint. This makes the spectroscope extremely well suited for use in identifying colored gemstones and diamonds.

A spectroscope is an instrument that separates white light into its component colors. This can be accomplished by passing the light that has been transmitted through the gemstone into the spectroscope and then viewing the resultant spectrum. The most commonly used ways of breaking the spectrum are:

Prism: For many years now, gemologisits have relied on a hand-held device based on a prism. While a prism does separate the spectrum, it does the job in a very non-linear way. That makes it very difficult (if not impossible) to discern the subtleties that are inherent in identifying many gemstones. Diffraction Grating: While the physics of using a diffraction grating are not important to the end user, it offers a linear superior dispersion of the spectrum. That means the different colors of the spectrum are separated more. This makes identification of the portions of the spectrum absorbed by the gemstone much more accurate, and easier to identify. In an effort to produce an instrument that offers the gemologist the most accurate method of identifying gemstones, Imperial Gem Instruments (IGI) has created the MDM gemological spectrometer.

This instrument has the following features that make it superior to any similar device available to the working gemologist, today:

• High efficiency diffraction grating that creates an easily viewed separation of the spectrum from the violet to the red end of the visible spectrum.
• Precision adjustable spring loaded slit that allows the user to optimize the viewing of the spectrum.
• A fixed reticle that allows the user to read the spectral wavelength of interest. The reticle is lit by ambient light which enables the user to easily see what portion of the spectrum is being viewed.
• The direct view optics has a wide field eyepiece which magnifies the spectrum. It includes focusing dials to enable the user to focus both the spectrum and the reticle.
• A hand operated dial that scans the spectrum between 350 to 780 nanometers.
• A digital display that gives the user an accurate reading of the wavelength being viewed.

As good as the MDM is, when it is used as a direct view instrument, there are certain short-comings. The human eye has inherent limitations on the portions of the spectrum it can detect. Either due to age (color perception does degrade with age), or color-blindness, some users may not be able to get the full benefit of the device. Even with the best of vision, some very weak absorption bands may not be easily seen. After extensive testing, IGI has been able to integrate a small black and white “bullet” video camera that can be attached to the spectroscope. By using a monitor or a video capture device on your computer, you can view even more spectral absorption lines than the human eye can see. The camera allows the user to view the spectrum from 350 to 780 nanometers. This makes it possible to finally see the 415 nanometer band in diamonds that is impossible to see except with laboratory instruments that cost tens of thousands of dollars. The MDM spectrometer is obviously the most technologically advanced device on the market for “no-doubt” identification of gemstones. Anyone looking through prisms for their rainbow is just like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. It’s not going to happen.

Pricing:

Price: $1750.00