Great video, Peter. I love your channel, you actually show what is under the scope, most others do not. It helps so much. Thanks, so glad you're back! ❤
Thank you ~ i'm glad to be of service, and while my way of doing things might be a bit DIY ~ I try to show what I am able. Sometimes this involves taping my sunglasses to my camera XD
Omg I forgot about this channel so happy it came up in my recommended again 🌹 I prefer cabochons over faceted stones. Idk that’s my personal preference 👀
You also DIY a polariscope too! A small flashlight under an upside down glass with one sheet of a white coffee filter over it, set polarized sunglasses on top, pop your stone on a lense and put a second pair of polarized glasses on, turn the glasses on the jar 90 degrees and look for your optic patterns. Works on cabs and faceted!
Have just stumbled on your channel Peter and found it quite resourceful besides been exactly what i was looking for. Have been an artisanal miner here in East Africa for a couple of years and just transitioning to lapidary after years of frustration and middlemen deceit in the mines. In fact i just finished a week long practical gemology course last week, on Friday the 22nd as my first step to break even. We covered gemstones identification and the tools used to that effect...spectroscope(have just watched your video on the same)dichroscope, polariscope, loupe et cetera but the onus is definitely on the leaner to seek further knowledge. I will be going back for a month long lapidary class next year God willing . I will surely be getting in touch with you via your website for further consultation. You're presentations are quite palatable, concise and to the point not to mention your delivery style. I'll be in contact buddy , you're kind of a godsend....Keep it up.
Colourless stones should never be trusted :D They're treacherous as the sea. Fortunately we now know the cab is bi-axial (which is convenient, bc i bought it as topaz XD )
Yes, there are some money in the quartz also. The quartz lacks depth, thou it's color is a bot foggy/milky/un clear. Yes there should be tools for usage whenever possible.
ok, so I think it was you in this video that had mentioned refractometers (and costs of the liquid). So I have a quick Q . . . how do you know if the liquid has gone bad? or IS bad? I went to sort more gem today and strangely my white zircon was testing as a white sapphire, yet hardness testing indicated it was in fact a zircon and NOT a sapphire . . . also strangely ALLLLL my opals tested at 1.67 . . . (all from different vendors) but my quartz tested as quartz and my garnets tested as garnets. A sapphire may actually be kyanite, or perhaps testing off as well . . . Now truth be told, i DID buy the cheaper refractometer and liquid last year and had been happy with it until NOW. Do you think my liquid is BAD? or is something else very OFF? ***Also side note, it's worth having amazon affiliate links in your video description of your favorite tools (or something similar to your favorite) both as a service to your viewers and as an added way to earn a bit of $$$ ;) if you add one for the liquid, I will happy service it :D
On refractometer liquid, or potentially the calibration of your refractometer also~ having a known stone to test is essential. A lot of gemologists will keep around a piece of synthetic spinel for this. You can use what you like, but the main point is to be CERTAIN what its RI is before you test it on the suspect device/ with suspect liquid. Thanks for the suggestion on the links.
Just found your channel and have been binging your videos! I wanted to know if you've used other uv wavelengths besides 365nm longwave to help id such as short or midwave
For gem ID purposes, many UV boxes will have shortwave aswell as long wave. The applications for UV fluorescence in my opinion is not super wide-spread though.
@@GemologyforSchmucks That's what I figured. There's only a handful of common gemstones that would fluoresce such as ruby, diamond, or zircon. Even then it's just another tick to help identify a gemstone rather than being a sole positive identifier. Thanks for the response and hope you have a great holiday!
I am going to guess another dirty word: Beads I'm curious how they are viewed in the gem trade. At some point I'm going to be trying to buy them and/or rough to make them myself. I plan to upgrade from glass.
A fair observation, though there are definitely some high-end gemstone beads out there aswell. Most of the production seems to be in the hands of certain Indian families, so we don't necessarily see the good stuff come through Bangkok.
@@GemologyforSchmucks i have been a bead dealler and did 2 weeks in tucson every year. Yes ' indians have a lot of the trade, but i think the chinese have a substantial amt. Indians may have a lg part of the higher end which may be what u r saying. What is missing for the tens or hundreds of thousands of us who are jewelry makers is info on various gems one can buy as beads, and how to recognize fakes(turquoise, ruby, etc), what to look for in selecting beads, how to gauge value, where to buy...etc. (hint hint, mkt oppty).
@@GemologyforSchmucks #2 Beads: over the past few years, ive seen a few gems youve featured on your channel, particularly the spessartite "mandarin" garnet. These are shockingly pricey as beads. Makes me wonder: are they difficult to cut or is it just so rare and limited supply? Theres a huge world of gem beads out there but its largely DIY. Having someone as a guide, like a vincent p-something (french guy formerly field gemologist w Gia) but covering beads would have little if any competition on youtube.
I much enjoy your videos but this one is 444 sec and we only got to see the uni-axle for 2 seconds. you also point to your left to "this video" #4:17 but the link is missing. do delete the comment after reading as I had nothing interesting to say :)
Hi Gaby, thanks for the comment. There may be some issue with youtube's card system, but the links can be found in the description below. As to the uniaxial optic figure, that was brief because i've covered it in other videos. I'll link the polariscope tutorial for you here for your convenience. th-cam.com/video/A6vOHbM6TYs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sOt2Hk7NoUKWr4w4
![A Sapphire's Secrets [In the Loupe]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/AxnY7Nm9hSI/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video, Peter. I love your channel, you actually show what is under the scope, most others do not. It helps so much. Thanks, so glad you're back! ❤
Thank you ~ i'm glad to be of service, and while my way of doing things might be a bit DIY ~ I try to show what I am able. Sometimes this involves taping my sunglasses to my camera XD
Oh how I love these videos of yours with various instruments and tools. You can learn a lot there, thank you.
Cheers, and i'm glad to be of service. Thank you for your constant support~!
Two videos in less than one week. Delightful and educational.
Glad that it has been beneficial~ There's more yet to come.
Omg I forgot about this channel so happy it came up in my recommended again 🌹 I prefer cabochons over faceted stones. Idk that’s my personal preference 👀
Welcome back!~ i'm also a massive fan of cabochons, particularly for certain colours and certain jewellery applications.
Ah, so glad to see you posting again. Love your videos ;)
Thank you - I'm glad to be of service.
Yes, polariscope is an easy to use tool quite useful for identifying (or at least exclude) many gems.
Indeed so. Often not the only tool necessary, but it can give a strong direction in ID
You also DIY a polariscope too! A small flashlight under an upside down glass with one sheet of a white coffee filter over it, set polarized sunglasses on top, pop your stone on a lense and put a second pair of polarized glasses on, turn the glasses on the jar 90 degrees and look for your optic patterns. Works on cabs and faceted!
A great suggestion - i've got one other trick that might be easier for you. The video will come out in a few days ;)
@@GemologyforSchmucks computer monitor, lol?
Peter, I really enjoy your videos. Thanks so much.
Thank you Sandi. I'm Glad to be of service.
We are one step closer to identifying the eye of Sauron
And we tread with caution!
Grazie per la tua sempre simpatica e generosa divulgazione scientifica 😊
My pleasure~
Have just stumbled on your channel Peter and found it quite resourceful besides been exactly what i was looking for. Have been an artisanal miner here in East Africa for a couple of years and just transitioning to lapidary after years of frustration and middlemen deceit in the mines. In fact i just finished a week long practical gemology course last week, on Friday the 22nd as my first step to break even. We covered gemstones identification and the tools used to that effect...spectroscope(have just watched your video on the same)dichroscope, polariscope, loupe et cetera but the onus is definitely on the leaner to seek further knowledge. I will be going back for a month long lapidary class next year God willing . I will surely be getting in touch with you via your website for further consultation. You're presentations are quite palatable, concise and to the point not to mention your delivery style. I'll be in contact buddy , you're kind of a godsend....Keep it up.
Thanks for your kind words.
😮 those white clear stones look like Nurielite
Colourless stones should never be trusted :D They're treacherous as the sea. Fortunately we now know the cab is bi-axial (which is convenient, bc i bought it as topaz XD )
And a coworker brought a few cabashawn for identification to me last week timing is everything Peter. We'll done.
Glad that such significant moments can overlap~ happy Christmas.
(cabochon)
Yes, there are some money in the quartz also. The quartz lacks depth, thou it's color is a bot foggy/milky/un clear. Yes there should be tools for usage whenever possible.
Thanks for the comment~ and yes, I agree with you. There is a space for everything at the table.
Merry Christmas and a blessed new year
Merry Christmas to you aswell~
what stone is that beautiful green/blue right at the start? it's so pretty
Should be chrysoprase, if you're speaking about the cabochon. They are quite nice, and can also be quite affordable.
ok, so I think it was you in this video that had mentioned refractometers (and costs of the liquid). So I have a quick Q . . . how do you know if the liquid has gone bad? or IS bad? I went to sort more gem today and strangely my white zircon was testing as a white sapphire, yet hardness testing indicated it was in fact a zircon and NOT a sapphire . . . also strangely ALLLLL my opals tested at 1.67 . . . (all from different vendors) but my quartz tested as quartz and my garnets tested as garnets. A sapphire may actually be kyanite, or perhaps testing off as well . . .
Now truth be told, i DID buy the cheaper refractometer and liquid last year and had been happy with it until NOW. Do you think my liquid is BAD? or is something else very OFF?
***Also side note, it's worth having amazon affiliate links in your video description of your favorite tools (or something similar to your favorite) both as a service to your viewers and as an added way to earn a bit of $$$ ;) if you add one for the liquid, I will happy service it :D
On refractometer liquid, or potentially the calibration of your refractometer also~ having a known stone to test is essential. A lot of gemologists will keep around a piece of synthetic spinel for this. You can use what you like, but the main point is to be CERTAIN what its RI is before you test it on the suspect device/ with suspect liquid.
Thanks for the suggestion on the links.
Just found your channel and have been binging your videos! I wanted to know if you've used other uv wavelengths besides 365nm longwave to help id such as short or midwave
For gem ID purposes, many UV boxes will have shortwave aswell as long wave. The applications for UV fluorescence in my opinion is not super wide-spread though.
@@GemologyforSchmucks That's what I figured. There's only a handful of common gemstones that would fluoresce such as ruby, diamond, or zircon. Even then it's just another tick to help identify a gemstone rather than being a sole positive identifier. Thanks for the response and hope you have a great holiday!
@@Raymond-Wu Yep~ it's definitely useful in certain contexts for a few tricky cases (i believe spodumene {kunzite etc} also, if memory serves)
I am going to guess another dirty word:
Beads
I'm curious how they are viewed in the gem trade. At some point I'm going to be trying to buy them and/or rough to make them myself. I plan to upgrade from glass.
Most bead dealers can only tell you what a stone bead is by whats on the label. Often those factory labels are merely hopeful.
A fair observation, though there are definitely some high-end gemstone beads out there aswell. Most of the production seems to be in the hands of certain Indian families, so we don't necessarily see the good stuff come through Bangkok.
Yah, that's unfortunately one of the common drawbacks of large volume products.
@@GemologyforSchmucks i have been a bead dealler and did 2 weeks in tucson every year. Yes ' indians have a lot of the trade, but i think the chinese have a substantial amt.
Indians may have a lg part of the higher end which may be what u r saying.
What is missing for the tens or hundreds of thousands of us who are jewelry makers is info on various gems one can buy as beads, and how to recognize fakes(turquoise, ruby, etc), what to look for in selecting beads, how to gauge value, where to buy...etc. (hint hint, mkt oppty).
@@GemologyforSchmucks #2 Beads: over the past few years, ive seen a few gems youve featured on your channel, particularly the spessartite "mandarin" garnet. These are shockingly pricey as beads. Makes me wonder: are they difficult to cut or is it just so rare and limited supply?
Theres a huge world of gem beads out there but its largely DIY. Having someone as a guide, like a vincent p-something (french guy formerly field gemologist w Gia) but covering beads would have little if any competition on youtube.
I much enjoy your videos but this one is 444 sec and we only got to see the uni-axle for 2 seconds. you also point to your left to "this video" #4:17 but the link is missing. do delete the comment after reading as I had nothing interesting to say :)
Hi Gaby, thanks for the comment. There may be some issue with youtube's card system, but the links can be found in the description below. As to the uniaxial optic figure, that was brief because i've covered it in other videos. I'll link the polariscope tutorial for you here for your convenience.
th-cam.com/video/A6vOHbM6TYs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sOt2Hk7NoUKWr4w4
First! 😎
Irrelevant comment
@@austinfreyrikrw6651 Every life.
cheers and welcome to the channel ~
First-ish
Irrelevant comment
cheers and welcome to the channel ~