iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS

The gemmologists in the laboratory have advanced technical gemmological instruments that allow them to authenticate gemstones with the utmost precision, to differentiate between natural, synthetic and artificial stones, and detect the great diversity of treatments that they may have undergone.
In addition to the equipment traditionally used for appraisal (10x loupe, microscope, DiamondDock, UV machine, metal testing, etc…), the Centre’s gemmologists have access to these advanced instruments as well.
The school’s students are taught all the instruments existing in the world of gemmology, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, with the benefit of learning how to use the instruments available at the school and laboratory.

Gemmological microscope

Microscopic study combined with in-depth knowledge of gemmology, mineralogy and geology, allows us to analyze in detail the inclusions present in gems. This expertise is of great importance to detect treatments, synthetic gems or imitations. Each gem is analyzed under a microscope before undergoing further testing. Our team of gemmologists keeps up to date with new treatments and synthetic gems on the market by studying gemmological publications.

 

Gemprint

The Gemprint system creates and compares a diamond’s “fingerprint” and stores it in a database. Each diamond owner can thus obtain an identity card for his or her diamond that can be used in case of theft or loss. The system relies on an international electronic network of diamond dealers, laboratories and government services such as the FBI and Canadian Customs.

FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy

Our FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy equipment allows for a wide range of analysis. A first module allows an extremely reliable identification of the mineralogical nature of the sample. A second module allows to detect efficiently the presence of certain impurities, which are sometimes of natural origin, sometimes due to treatments, or of a synthetic origin. This instrument also participates in the analysis of all types of diamonds with applications of primary importance in the study of the origin of the colour of natural, treated or synthetic diamonds. Other notable applications are the detection of heat treatment of rubies and sapphires, or oil or resin fill treatments often found in natural emeralds.

 

DiamondView

This instrument analyzes gems by fluorescence imaging using high-energy ultraviolet light. In addition to fluorescence colour and phosphorescence detection, it reveals growth structures in the gem that are invisible to the microscope. As the name implies, its primary application is to distinguish specific growth structures in natural and synthetic (HPHT and CVD) diamonds. However, applications in the study of coloured stones exist such as the detection of heat treatment of sapphires and filling treatments of corundum and emeralds. It also allows to highlight the growth structures of some rubies and synthetic sapphires, or the presence of dye in coral.

 

AMS2

This specialized instrument uses spectroscopic techniques to quickly analyze colourless to nearly colourless gemstones (<0.25 ct). It is thus possible to separate natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds, as well as imitations, in a very reliable, rapid manner, and for large quantities. The abundance of synthetic diamonds on the market has become a major issue for diamond and jewellery manufacturers in the context of their supply. It is essential to be able to certify that a batch of natural diamonds does not contain any synthetic intruders.

DiamondSure

This lightweight, portable instrument allows for quick testing of set and unset diamonds. Using a violet laser, one can confirm the presence of an untreated natural colourless diamond. If not, the gem can be subjected to further testing.

iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS

The gemmologists in the laboratory have advanced technical gemmological instruments that allow them to authenticate gemstones with the utmost precision, to differentiate between natural, synthetic and artificial stones, and detect the great diversity of treatments that they may have undergone.
In addition to the equipment traditionally used for appraisal (10x loupe, microscope, DiamondDock, UV machine, metal testing, etc…), the Centre’s gemmologists have access to these advanced instruments as well.
The school’s students are taught all the instruments existing in the world of gemmology, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, with the benefit of learning how to use the instruments available at the school and laboratory.

Gemmological microscope

Microscopic study combined with in-depth knowledge of gemmology, mineralogy and geology, allows us to analyze in detail the inclusions present in gems. This expertise is of great importance to detect treatments, synthetic gems or imitations. Each gem is analyzed under a microscope before undergoing further testing. Our team of gemmologists keeps up to date with new treatments and synthetic gems on the market by studying gemmological publications.

Gemprint

The Gemprint system creates and compares a diamond’s “fingerprint” and stores it in a database. Each diamond owner can thus obtain an identity card for his or her diamond that can be used in case of theft or loss. The system relies on an international electronic network of diamond dealers, laboratories and government services such as the FBI and Canadian Customs.

FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy

Our FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy equipment allows for a wide range of analysis. A first module allows an extremely reliable identification of the mineralogical nature of the sample. A second module allows to detect efficiently the presence of certain impurities, which are sometimes of natural origin, sometimes due to treatments, or of a synthetic origin.
This instrument also participates in the analysis of all types of diamonds with applications of primary importance in the study of the origin of the colour of natural, treated or synthetic diamonds. Other notable applications are the detection of heat treatment of rubies and sapphires, or oil or resin fill treatments often found in natural emeralds.

 

DiamondView

This instrument analyzes gems by fluorescence imaging using high-energy ultraviolet light. In addition to fluorescence colour and phosphorescence detection, it reveals growth structures in the gem that are invisible to the microscope. As the name implies, its primary application is to distinguish specific growth structures in natural and synthetic (HPHT and CVD) diamonds. However, applications in the study of coloured stones exist such as the detection of heat treatment of sapphires and filling treatments of corundum and emeralds. It also allows to highlight the growth structures of some rubies and synthetic sapphires, or the presence of dye in coral.

 

AMS2

This specialized instrument uses spectroscopic techniques to quickly analyze colourless to nearly colourless gemstones (<0.25 ct). It is thus possible to separate natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds, as well as imitations, in a very reliable, rapid manner, and for large quantities. The abundance of synthetic diamonds on the market has become a major issue for diamond and jewellery manufacturers in the context of their supply. It is essential to be able to certify that a batch of natural diamonds does not contain any synthetic intruders.

DiamondSure

This lightweight, portable instrument allows for quick testing of set and unset diamonds. Using a violet laser, one can confirm the presence of an untreated natural colourless diamond. If not, the gem can be subjected to further testing.  

iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence
to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS

The gemmologists in the laboratory have advanced technical gemmological instruments that allow them to authenticate gemstones with the utmost precision, to differentiate between natural, synthetic and artificial stones, and detect the great diversity of treatments that they may have undergone.
In addition to the equipment traditionally used for appraisal (10x loupe, microscope, DiamondDock, UV machine, metal testing, etc…), the Centre’s gemmologists have access to these advanced instruments as well.
The school’s students are taught all the instruments existing in the world of gemmology, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, with the benefit of learning how to use the instruments available at the school and laboratory.

Gemmological microscope

Microscopic study combined with in-depth knowledge of gemmology, mineralogy and geology, allows us to analyze in detail the inclusions present in gems. This expertise is of great importance to detect treatments, synthetic gems or imitations. Each gem is analyzed under a microscope before undergoing further testing. Our team of gemmologists keeps up to date with new treatments and synthetic gems on the market by studying gemmological publications.

Gemprint

The Gemprint system creates and compares a diamond’s “fingerprint” and stores it in a database. Each diamond owner can thus obtain an identity card for his or her diamond that can be used in case of theft or loss. The system relies on an international electronic network of diamond dealers, laboratories and government services such as the FBI and Canadian Customs.

FTIR Infrared Spectroscopy

Our FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy equipment allows for a wide range of analysis. A first module allows an extremely reliable identification of the mineralogical nature of the sample. A second module allows to detect efficiently the presence of certain impurities, which are sometimes of natural origin, sometimes due to treatments, or of a synthetic origin. This instrument also participates in the analysis of all types of diamonds with applications of primary importance in the study of the origin of the colour of natural, treated or synthetic diamonds. Other notable applications are the detection of heat treatment of rubies and sapphires, or oil or resin fill treatments often found in natural emeralds.

DiamondView

This instrument analyzes gems by fluorescence imaging using high-energy ultraviolet light. In addition to fluorescence colour and phosphorescence detection, it reveals growth structures in the gem that are invisible to the microscope. As the name implies, its primary application is to distinguish specific growth structures in natural and synthetic (HPHT and CVD) diamonds. However, applications in the study of coloured stones exist such as the detection of heat treatment of sapphires and filling treatments of corundum and emeralds. It also allows to highlight the growth structures of some rubies and synthetic sapphires, or the presence of dye in coral.

AMS2

This specialized instrument uses spectroscopic techniques to quickly analyze colourless to nearly colourless gemstones (<0.25 ct). It is thus possible to separate natural diamonds from synthetic diamonds, as well as imitations, in a very reliable, rapid manner, and for large quantities. The abundance of synthetic diamonds on the market has become a major issue for diamond and jewellery manufacturers in the context of their supply. It is essential to be able to certify that a batch of natural diamonds does not contain any synthetic intruders.

DiamondSure

This lightweight, portable instrument allows for quick testing of set and unset diamonds. Using a violet laser, one can confirm the presence of an untreated natural colourless diamond. If not, the gem can be subjected to further testing.