Well I got my refractometer for my birthday, and I love it. I do have to say it still does not clarify for me 100 percent what the stones are but does help me narrow it way down. This one I set in this lovely ring setting, after realizing it is a blue tourmaline. I am certain it is tourmaline. Under the gem refractometer the refractive index number was 1.62, and it is doubly refractive which eliminates topaz which is trichroic not dichroic. It does have typical inclusions of tourmaline, and a small chip on the edge of the stone. Because of that this beauty will stay in my personal collection. It could possibly also be an Apatite which has a RI of 1.632 but it absolutely stayed at 1.62 with no range even with the polarizer lens on. So I am leaning towards tourmaline. I have all but eliminated blue zircon because the RI of zircon starts at 1.80. This is all very new to me, and it is a lot to learn, remember, and can be very confusing as well. So far I have only been able to identify positively about 15 stones, four I looked at need more testing, and I have so many more I can not even tell you how many.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Blue Tourmaline And My New Refractometer
Well I got my refractometer for my birthday, and I love it. I do have to say it still does not clarify for me 100 percent what the stones are but does help me narrow it way down. This one I set in this lovely ring setting, after realizing it is a blue tourmaline. I am certain it is tourmaline. Under the gem refractometer the refractive index number was 1.62, and it is doubly refractive which eliminates topaz which is trichroic not dichroic. It does have typical inclusions of tourmaline, and a small chip on the edge of the stone. Because of that this beauty will stay in my personal collection. It could possibly also be an Apatite which has a RI of 1.632 but it absolutely stayed at 1.62 with no range even with the polarizer lens on. So I am leaning towards tourmaline. I have all but eliminated blue zircon because the RI of zircon starts at 1.80. This is all very new to me, and it is a lot to learn, remember, and can be very confusing as well. So far I have only been able to identify positively about 15 stones, four I looked at need more testing, and I have so many more I can not even tell you how many.
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2 comments:
That ring is absolutely gorgeous! I love the setting. It sounds like you're having fun with your refractometer.
Thank you, and yes I am having a ball. Though I certainly see why it takes so long to be a certified gemologist there is so much information to know and learn. Someday I hope to take the course, maybe when my kids are grown. For now I just tinker, read and learn.
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