05.01 The Spectroscope

In this lesson, you will explore the spectroscope and colour filters, focusing primarily on the essential role of the spectroscope in gemmology and light analysis.

The spectroscope is a powerful tool that splits light into its component colours, much like a prism does. This allows scientists to analyse light from various materials, unveiling important information about their chemical makeup. You will understand more about the theory behind spectrospopy and learn how gemmologists use a spectroscope by identifying characteristic absorption lines which reveal details about the elemental composition of gems.

The spectroscope serves as a vital tool in gemstone identification, particularly when other methods like refractive index readings are insufficient. It can even analyse rough stones and opaque gems, highlighting its versatility, sometimes even detecting if a gem is natural or treated. While mastering the spectroscope may require practice, it ultimately becomes an invaluable instrument for understanding and identifying gemstones effectively.