The Pocket Spectroscope: A Quick Guide for Gemologists

Answer: I recognize this device. It's a pocket spectroscope and stand made by Orwin Products Ltd. The spectroscope is used in many fields, from astronomy to industry and also gemology. Portable models are very useful.

What Can a Portable Spectroscope Do?

Gemologists use spectroscopes to see a gem's absorption spectrum. Learning how a gemstone interacts with light is a key step to identifying it.  This can even indicate if the stone is natural or synthetic. An inexpensive pocket spectroscope is useful for aspiring students as well as professional gemologists who need to identify specimens, including rough, while away from their labs.

How to Use a Portable Spectroscope

The spectroscope is a fundamental tool for gemologists. To use a portable spectroscope, line up these things in this order: light source, stone specimen, the instrument, and your eye. To interpret what you're seeing, you'll need to review the basics of spectroscope operation and gemstone identification.

The black contraption is a stand to help you hold stones of various sizes over the opening. There are some tricks to using this.

First, everything has to be held VERY still. Most people prefer using a stand or mount rather than trying to hold the instrument in their hands. (There are even adapters for mounting a pocket spectroscope in a microscope).

Second, you need a lot of light. It takes practice to get enough light through the stone and into the pocket spectroscope to be able to read it. You'll find the OPL pocket spectroscope isn't useful for dark stones. Start practicing with something light and one carat or above.

Best wishes,

Donald Clark, CSM IMG

Portable Spectroscope Recommendations

Photo	Name	Top Reviews on Amazon
	Eisco Labs Economy Spectroscope Tube,	"Purchased for a lab in electromagnetic spectrum. These spectroscopes were easy to use and see the different rays of lights from light bulbs. My students liked them."read more
	Gain Express Pocket Diffraction Grating Gemological Spectroscope	"Great for the price very accurate with full sized view of spectrum. Identify gemstones with a great tool comparable to Gem- A spectroscope. Professional quality at a decent price this not a toy. Is as good as Gem-A. GIA approved one that goes for double. Great precision optics and shows full spectrum no scale. Great for gemological research and any other purpose. Move back to veiw full spectrum!!! Doesn't have grating lines but is still great." read more
	Radical Focusable DVS 5 Prism Spectroscope	"It corresponds to the middle spectrascope shown in Liddicoats Gem Book. The instrument is hefty, sturdy and well made. It is made in India and comes in a padded wooden box. They ship DHL with a signature required. Well packaged and safely shipped."read more
	EISCO Premium Quantitative Spectroscope, +/- 5nm Accuracy	"This unit works extremely well. I was very impressed with the price/performance point. I have seen units for 6X-10X the price of this unit that did not perform as well. Both the spectrum and scale are well lit and easy to read. With a minor bit of tweaking the collimating slit size could be modified to give and even crisper spectrum."  read more

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