A dichroscope separates polarized colour components hidden inside anisotropic gemstones. Learn how to observe dichroism and trichroism in sapphire, ruby, tourmaline, iolite and tanzanite—and how pleochroism supports gemstone identification.
Learn how a gemstone polariscope uses crossed polarized light to distinguish singly refractive, doubly refractive and aggregate materials, detect strain and reveal uniaxial and biaxial optic figures
A gemstone refractometer converts gemstone optics into measurable evidence. Learn how to take accurate refractive-index readings, recognise single and double refraction, calculate birefringence, use spot readings and understand when RI alone is not enough
A gemmological microscope reveals far more than magnification alone. Learn how darkfield, brightfield, fibre-optic, reflected and polarized illumination expose inclusions, colour zoning, treatments, surface features and growth structures.
A 10× loupe is one of gemmology’s simplest and most useful instruments—but only when used correctly. Learn how to use a 10x loupe with professional focusing technique, lighting, systematic gemstone inspection, what inclusions can reveal, and when magnification alone is not enough
Successful sapphire faceting begins long before the first facet is cut. This professional guide explains how to assess natural sapphire rough for colour, crystal orientation, pleochroism, zoning, inclusions, fractures, usable yield and optical potential before committing valuable material to the lap.
