Gemstone Windows and Dark Patches: What to Look for in a Cut Gem

Image
AI-generated educational illustration. Conceptual only; not a photograph of an actual specimen or location. A coloured gem may have a pale, see-through centre or areas that look almost black. Both affect its appearance, but they do not have the same cause. What is a window? A window is an area where light passes through the gem instead of being returned towards the viewer. You may see the background through it, especially near the centre. Cutting angles and the material's refractive index—how it bends light—help determine whether this happens. There is no single ideal depth for every gemstone. Why dark patches need a closer look Darkness can have several causes. The material may absorb a lot of light. Some facets may reflect dark surroundings or the observer. Extinction is another cause, involving light that is not returned to the viewer after internal reflection. For that reason, calling every black patch “extinction” can be misleading. A simple viewing routine Look at the gem fac...

Lead Glass Ruby Identification (Composite Ruby)

  Glass (Lead) infilling

External: Open cavities (usually on pavilion), filled with glass for a better looking stone (seals cavities, adds weight). Internal: Traces of glassy residue in fractures after heating may be found as a by-product of the particular heating process used. (Stable).

Detection: Magnification. Differences in luster between glass infilling and stone plus possible bubbles in filling and blue orange flashes.

For more information about treatment please click on the below link

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Introduction quiz

Gemology MCQs Part-3

Gemology MCQ Quiz Part 6: Test Your Gemstone Knowledge