Geological Survey of India

Gem Testing Laboratory, GSI

Kolkata

v Laboratory Reports & Services

v Training
v Support/Technical Consultancy Services
v Updating Gem related database

Ø A tradition of Science and Service

Why Gem Testing?

Gemstones are very high valued objects; different types of mix-ups are
there …. there is every possibility of being cheated or duped.

How? Look Wise

Four Categories of Gemstones: Essentially
v Natural high valued Gemstones Identical
(Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphires
Cymophane etc) Valuation wise
v Look alike alternative of
Natural Gems substantially
v Look alike lower grade enhanced different
Gems
v Look alike Man-made materials Fraud is very
common

All gems NATURAL / MAN-MADE / TREATED always carry trail of

evidences for their exact identification. We are finding out the ways and the
truth.

Gem Testing Laboratory, Kolkata 1

Geological Survey of India

All that glitters are not

gold

Samples as received in GTL

Established in early seventies as an offshoot of Petrology

Division, Gem Testing Laboratory (GTL) , Kolkata, now has
become India’s foremost authority in gemstone certification. It is
a Service Laboratory which provides services to public / traders
/ judiciary and other Governmental Organisations against
nominal charges. The Laboratory identifies gemstones
accurately and objectively.

Our mission is to ensure public trust by upholding highest

standards of academics, science, innovation and
professionalism through laboratory services. This effort
becomes more challenging each year, as new gem sources
emerge and new treatment methods and synthetic materials to
simulate natural gems come to the market. GTL, GSI, Kolkata, is
dedicated to provide general public / consumers the knowledge
they need. Each year we certify around eight thousand samples.
Apart from twelve technical details, each of our certificate bears
tamper-proof special security measures.

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Geological Survey of India

GTL,Kolkata attained its leadership status in the field

through decades of integrity, ingenuity, academics,
professionalism and customer friendly service.

We not only issue Flawless Identification Certificates but

also disseminate gem-related technical knowledge (stated in the
reports) to common public at the time of returning the sample
and try to create public awareness. Kolkata is not a very big
gem-trading center still we could achieve and sustain the
demand indicating growing public confidence in GSI Gem
Certification.

INSTRUMENTS USED

v Petrological Microscopes
v Stereo Binocular Microscope with digital micro vision
attachments
v Gem Refractometer
v Balance with automatic specific gravity determination
kit
v Spectroscpoe
v Ultra Violet Lamps
v Magnavision
v Fibre optic illuminator

Gem testing is a journey that starts simply with the

separation by color but ends in the atomic level.

Gemstones are not only beautiful to look at - their inner world is

awfully enigmatic and mysterious! Each piece of gemstone is unique
– it provides new challenges to Geologists!

Gem Testing Laboratory, Kolkata 3

Geological Survey of India

Enigmatic internal world of gemstones

6.5 Cts Natural

emerald as received

Fig 1:Three phase inclusions (Primary Fluid

Inclusion) in Natural Emerald, TL PP 5X

Fig 2: Mineral grains

(tremolite?) & Fluid
Inclusions in Emerald.

Each sample is unique. Every identification is a new challenge

Gem Testing Laboratory, Kolkata 4

Geological Survey of India

Fig 3 : Inclusions of Mineral Grains Fig 4: GALAXY (inclusions of mineral

(both as discrete and exsolved phase) grains with radioactive haloes in Blue
in Natural Blue Sapphire, TL PP 5X Sapphire, TL CP 5X.

Fig 5: Lead Glass treated natural red Fig 6: Most important Inclusions –
corundum enhanced to RUBY , TL PP mineral grains in Natural Diamond –
5X Window to mantle. TL CP 5X .

Fig 7: Green Dyed Silica common Fig 8: Inner world (Gas Bubbles) of
imitation of Natural Emerald Synthetic Blue Sapphires, TL PP 5X

Gem Testing Laboratory, Kolkata 5