Spectrometer In Inspection Of Ores And Gems
After years of research by the gemologist, there are various modern spectroscopy methods and instruments had been used in the inspection of gems (gemstone) and ores (minerals). Hereafter refers to all ores Today's spectrum technology, after years of research gem expert, has developed a wide range of minerals (hereinafter all refers to minerals. Via the technology of spectroscopy, we are able to quickly and accurately identify fake or artificial non-natural minerals via special analysis.
The following are the common spectroscopy technologies which were researched by the gemologists and experts, as well as the related test methods in which are proper for some specific minerals. We’d like to share to all the customers of ACTTR’s. If there were some known test methods not in the list, you would be welcome to contact to ACTTR Technology. We will offer relative consultation and service.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
Infrared spectroscopy is often used to detect the amount of absorption infrared ray and its spectrum in the range of certain infrared wavelength. Since each mineral has its specific molecular structure, therefore the absorption spectrum by analyzing a mineral sample, will be able to analyze the characteristics of it, and further identifying a fake or non-natural artificial gems or ores. However, due to the weaker energy of infrared rate, compare to other high-frequency electromagnetic waves, the absorption characteristics are often obscure after penetrating the gems of ores on the other side. In recent years, there are many researches related to infrared diffuse reflectance spectra. In particular, the advent of some high-performance FTIR, there are various choices for users. About the discussion of FTIR diffusion reflectance, please refer to the article, "Identify The Gems By Using FTIR".
The related researches and applications of FTIR is listed as follows:
- Identify heat treatment of rubies and sapphires.
(For more knowledge about heat treatment of corundum, and the mentality of consumers’, please refer to the related articles from Mr. Li, Song-Cun.) - Inspection of polymer, or dipping treatment of grease and resin (wax treatment), such as jade, opal or emerald.
- Identify the natural and synthetic artificial gemstones, such as emerald or jade.
ACTTR Technology brought to you the “Rocket” series, FTIR products, with high stability, high sensitivity, as well as the ability of diffusion reflectance, with very good performance, please contact to us for more details.
UV / Visible Light Spectroscopy (UV / Vis)
UV-VIS spectrometer is used for measuring the absorption of gemstone by a UV ray, and its spectrum in the UV and visible light wavelength range. An UV-VIS spectrophotometer is commonly used in:
- Identify the country of origin of emerald and sapphire. Different origin of gems, usually have different UV / Vis absorption spectra and the absorption characteristics.
- Identify a natural corundum and an artificial corundum, for example, by UV / VIS spectroscopy to compare a natural ruby with rich ferro (iron), or a synthetic ruby with poor ferro.
ACTTR Technology brought to you the good quality and economic UV / Vis Spectrophotometers, you’re welcome to contact to us.
Raman Spectroscopy (Raman)
One uses Raman spectroscopy to appraise the gems or ores by its characteristics in the low frequency mode, in order to measure the molecular vibration, rotation, and other low-frequency.
Please refer to, "What Is Low Frequency Analysis? Why We Need It?"
Raman spectroscopy in such applications, is mainly measuring the inelastic scattering (Raman Effect) by a laser exciting on gems or ores. Raman spectroscopy is a very fast and reliable way to identify gems and minerals, the major applications are:
- Identification of impurities in gems.
- Recognition of fillers in gems. For example, the resin or grease, filled in an emerald.
- Identifying the material of gems and its ornaments.
ACTTR provides various of Raman Spectrometer and Raman Microscope, we have single laser beam, dual beam, or even triple laser beam selection. Differentiate to other heavy Raman spectrometers, ACTTR brought to you a light, portable solutions, you’re welcome to contact to us. Thermo Scientific DXR Raman microscope.
Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (EDXRF)
EDXRF irradiate the gems with X-ray, and the elements of molecules are excited to a higher energy orbit, and later return to the original orbit, and emits fluorescence. By EDXRF method, we can detect the composition of a particular element in a mineral, and its percentage among other elements. EDXRF spectrometer is usually seen in applications of:
- Identify the country of origin of gems via analysis of the percentage of specific elements of a gem.
- Identify the natural gems and artificial synthetic gems via elemental analysis.
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Apply a laser beam on the surface of gems and forms plasma (it’s almost non-destructive), by collecting the atoms and ions of plasma, in order to analyze the specific ingredients. LIBS is currently used in the identification of:
- The corundum after beryllium-treated.
- Analyze the components of light elements in gems (such as lithium, magnesium, boron).
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)
This analysis method requires a laser beam and gasify the surface of minerals and deliver the gas into a high temperature ICP core. In the ICP-MS spectrometer, one can analyze the ingredients of minerals by the mass-to-charge ratio. The advantage of a LA-ICP-MS is the ability to identify unknown minerals and its composition of light elements. It is very useful in identification of unknown minerals.
ACTTR Technology is the most aggressive & the most professional instrument of spectrometer distributor, agent, reseller, in Taiwan.