ISSN 0846-3611 GEMMOLOGY CANADA – Wolf Kuehn, F.G.G., F.G.A., Editor
From the Editor:
As last year I spent 10 days mountaineering in the Dolomites mountains in South Tyrol, Italy. The weather was not the best with daily thunderstorms as Europe had probably one of the worst summers. This time I was interested in the area around the Falzarego Pass (Passo di Falzarego) which was the object of heavy combat in World War I. I hiked a trail secured with steel ropes and bridges up to the summit of the Lagazuoi (2762 m) and could only imagine the terrible sacrifices the parties involved made. The tunnel that the Italians built under the Austrian lines is open to the public.
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Exhibitor at the 2014 GSA Meeting in Vancouver, B.C. (19–22 October 2014)
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I would like to invite you to the GSA2014 meeting (October 19 – 22) in Vancouver, B.C. which will attract over 7,000 geoscientists from around the world. |
Please download and print out your VIP pass which will allow a one time entrance into the exhibit hall.
The Canadian Institute of Gemmology (C.I.G.) and Gemlab Research & Technology (GLR&T) will be exhibiting at booth #552 (next to Networking Lounge) at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place during the Geological Society of America annual meeting (GSA 2014).
“Discover new science in the 247 topical sessions, trips, courses, and events. GSA is where geoscience professionals come to get engaged, get educated, get inspired, and enjoy each moment.”
There are many gemmology related events on Monday, October 20.
GL Analyzer PL405 Kit
On the facebook page for the GL Gem Spectrometer we introduced – for those who do not want to assemble a similar kit on their own – a complete package which includes proper laser safety goggles.
The GL Analyzer PL405 kit converts the GL Gem Spectrometer into a “poor man’s version” of a PL spectrometer as found in the GL Gem Raman PL532 . The results for obtaining luminescence spectra from ruby, sapphire, emerald, spinel, alexandrite, etc. are very good.
The GL Gem Spectrometer in PL mode can be used to identify gems and minerals by their chromophores; there is also great potential for diamond characterization. It will detect polymer treatment in jadeite (see below).
Detection of polymer treated jadeite with the GL Gem Spectrometer
The GL Gem Spectrometer™ is very efficient in detecting whether green jadeite has been treated or not.
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With a blue laser (405 nm) excitation source (GL Analyzer PL405 Kit recommended) a strong luminescence band appears in the green wavelength range of polymer treated jadeite which is absent in untreated green jadeite.
You can use your own blue laser pointer (use safety goggles!) to test your green jadeite samples; detailed instructions are in the user section.
Download jadeite info sheet (PDF, 540KB).
For your own protection always use laser safety goggles when operating any type of laser equipment.
Workshops in Brazil
I have planned several workshops and presentations both about advanced spectroscopy and visits to gem mining areas in Colombia, Australia and Myanmar/Thailand/Cambodia in Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; if you want to participate please contact me or the institutions.
Sao Paulo, October 29 at IBGM
Porto Alegre, November 4 – 5 at Instituto de Geociências – UFRGS followed by a field trip to mines near Soledade.
Rio de Janeiro, November 10 – 12 at CETEM
Gemlab R&T Official Sponsor of GIT 2014, Chiang Mai, Thailand
We have submitted an extended abstract for a poster session, download “Raman and Photoluminescence Spectroscopy in Gem Identification” (PDF), 358 kB
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Official Sponsor 4th International Gem and Jewelry ConferenceChiang Mai, Thailand Dec. 8 – 9, 2014 |
In our booth will be releasing and demonstrating the new GL Gem Spectrometer NIR PL405.
GL Gem Spectrometer NIR PL405 RELEASE SOON
Planned for release during the 4th International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT2014) in Chiang Mai, Thailand Dec. 8 – 9, 2014 the GL Gem Spectrometer NIR PL405 is a dual purpose spectrometer for photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy; it can be used for VIS-NIR spectroscopy (550 – 1,000 nm) as well (the GL Halogen Gem Holder is included).
The spectrometer has a higher resolution than our regular unit, a Long Wave Pass Filter (LWPF) and is optimized for the NIR range.
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It allows identification of many gemstones such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, spinel, alexandrite, etc. based on their PL response and also has great potential for diamond characterization. It can be used in addition to the GL Gem Spectrometer or on its own as a dedicated PL and transmission spectrometer as many gem materials have important features in the VIS-NIR range.
For instance it will identify untreated or treated jadeite (it will not show the PL band for polymer treated jade though due to the built-in LWP filter). Diamond irradiation, copper content in “Paraiba” tourmaline will be visible in the spectrum. First studies indicate that heat treatments such as in red spinel can be determined.
In PL mode it is almost as sensitive as the GL Gem Raman PL532 and can serve as a low-cost PL spectrometer.
We will have a display booth at GIT2014; more info http://www.git2014.com/index.php
GL Gem Raman PL 532 Demo Unit FOR SALE
We still have a GL Gem Raman PL 532 demo unit (without TEC) for sale. This instrument with its extended range has been upgraded and equipped with the GLBPF (see band-pass filter upgrade) and is ideal for a small laboratory or as a teaching instrument in a college or university.
AGTA GemFair Tucson 2015
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It is time to get ready for the Tucson gem shows; please drop by at the C.I.G. booth #31 at the Galleria Level of the AGTA Gemfair in Tucson, February 3 – 8, 2015.
I will be present at the booth every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. To register follow this link. |