Gemmology is the science of gemstones confined to a scientific understanding of gemstones. This science is considered an interdisciplinary branch and has its roots in mineralogy, geology physics, chemistry and biology. Today gemmology is a renowned science with findings published in international journals such as Journal of Gemmology, Gems & Gemology, Gemmologie...etc
Gemologists are experts in gemmology. They have a systematic knowledge of gemstones and are able to identify natural and synthetic stones and imitations by means of simple optical instruments. The quality of a
gemologist depends on his training and his knowledge. Scientific gemmologist has a background in natural sciences. Ironically only a few gemological laboratories exist, that work on a high level and experience with a long history free of scandals.
Targets of gemmology are the identification of gemstones, the confirmation of authenticity, the evaluation of quality and the disclosure of treatment. First priority is the distinction between natural stones and synthetic counterparts and imitations. Whereas in the past the identification of synthetic represented a major problem, today the difficult task is the identification of treatment. In most cases natural gemstones undergo artificial improvements. For this purpose the stones are subjected to different, mostly physical and chemical processes.
Mineral name and natural origin are the prior tasks of identification. This is possible with some low cost gemmological instruments. Refractive index, density and optical character represent the main data needed for the identification. Microscopic analysis of the internal features (inclusions), furnish fingerprints of authenticity (natural or synthetic). the identification can be practised in simple steps by trained gemmologists in 95% of the cases. In a gemmological laboratory further scientific instruments are used to prove the authenticity or state a treatment. Analytical instruments may comprise FTIR (Fourier transform infra red spectrometry), EDXRF (energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence), Raman micro spectrometry, LIBS (Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy) and LA-ICPMS (laser induced inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry).
Natural beauty is required, but the majority of gemstones got an artificial makeup. Each gemstone variety has its own kind of treatments to improve quality, color, increase transparency or hiding fractures are the most encountered gemstone treatments.