gems, instruments, beryl, emerald treatments, inclusions

As laboratory gemmologists, we are frequently asked by friends and colleagues for recommendations on lab equipment. Often the focus is based around the most modern and advanced instrumentation, much of which is out of reach for what my grandfather likes to call the “great unwashed.” One piece of equipment that is often overlooked is the humble ultraviolet (UV) lamp. Although it is an older and relatively affordable tool, it is an essential test in our laboratory, and we examine all submitted stones under UV light. Often used in diamond testing, it can also be a tremendous help with coloured gems, in detecting treatments and synthetics, as well as a capable tool to screen pieces of jewellery with many smaller stones.