Ultraviolet Testing and Gemstone Identification

Additionally, ultraviolet testing can expose some gemstone treatments and assembled stones. The enhanced layers of diffusion-treated gems, oils used as fillers in emeralds and other gems, and the components of assembled stones often have different fluorescent qualities than the rest of the specimen material. Seeing this at an early stage of your examination can save time later.

A Warning About Ultraviolet Testing

Never look at your ultraviolet (UV) light. Shortwave (SW) UV light can damage your eyes, even to the point of blindness. If you’re ever unsure if your UV light source is on, check the switch. Better yet, a flame-fusion ruby will tell you instantly if the light is on or not. (All rubies fluoresce, but these synthetic rubies fluoresce very strongly).

Ultraviolet Testing Tools

Just beyond the visible light spectrum lies infrared and UV light. For gem identification, we use longwave (LW) light, 315 to 400 nm, and SW light, 200 to 280 nm. The range in between isn’t used.

For gem testing purposes, you need lights that will show the LW and SW independent of each other. You can buy these as separate units…

Donald Clark, CSM IMG

Donald Clark, CSM founded the International Gem Society in 1998. Donald started in the gem and jewelry industry in 1976. He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Society of Gemcutters (ASG). The letters “CSM” after his name stood for Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a designation of Wykoff’s ASG which has often been referred to as the doctorate of gem cutting. The American Society of Gemcutters only had 54 people reach this level. Along with dozens of articles for leading trade magazines, Donald authored the book Modern Faceting, the Easy Way.

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