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

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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...

Using fibre optic light to photograph star coral

Using fibre optic light to photograph star coral

Luckily the latest availability of fiber optic light, I have decided to photograph of already available star coral in my collection and share it on my blog with the huge online community. I hope that you will enjoy it.

On the Red List of Threatened Species, the Blushing Star Coral is subject to white plague type II, which exposes the skeleton through fast tissue loss.

a close up of star coral
Star coral 

a microscopic study of coral
Star coral 

star coral under microscope
Star coral 

coral see through loupe / eye glass / microscope
Star coral 

coral identification / how to know coral
Star coral 


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