Kate Pleatman

<p>
 I studied gems with the Foldscope and found it to be a pretty awesome portable tool.  Couple of issues:  using hard gemstones with pointed culets, I happened to scratch the lo-mag lens.  Switched to hi-mag and tried to be more careful, but that’s definitely a concern.  I had some tiny gems glued to slides to study, and some loose, which I held in the gap with gem tweezers.  Hard to hold a stone, move the image around, and focus at the same time, but I did manage to get some great shots.
</p>
<p>
 Here’s how slides were prepared.  The first photo shows natural opal (with some crazing – natural internal crackling) at low magnification.  Second photo shows synthetic opal taken at high magnification, with characteristic “snakeskin” pattern that proves it is synthetic.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="2-2015-1-3-15-Prepared-Slides-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2-2015-1-3-15-Prepared-Slides-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#2 2015 1-3-15 Prepared Slides Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1033 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1033" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#2 2015 1-3-15 Prepared Slides Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2-2015-1-3-15-Prepared-Slides-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="2a-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-opal-1-crazing-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2a-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-opal-1-crazing-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#2a 2015 1-14-15 LO nat opal 1 crazing  Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1034 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1034" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#2a 2015 1-14-15 LO nat opal 1 crazing  Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2a-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-opal-1-crazing-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="2b-2015-1-15-15-syn-opal-6-snakeskin-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2b-2015-1-15-15-syn-opal-6-snakeskin-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#2b 2015 1-15-15 syn opal 6 snakeskin Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1035 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1035" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#2b 2015 1-15-15 syn opal 6 snakeskin Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/2b-2015-1-15-15-syn-opal-6-snakeskin-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 I have many other photos, but will put them in a separate post, since this says I’ve hit my max size limit for photos.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="1-2015-1-14-15-LO-Quartz-with-Lepidocrocite-2-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/1-2015-1-14-15-LO-Quartz-with-Lepidocrocite-2-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#1 2015 1-11-15 Other Samples - Quartz with Lepidocrocite Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1030 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1030" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#1 2015 1-11-15 Other Samples – Quartz with Lepidocrocite Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/1-2015-1-11-15-Other-Samples-Quartz-with-Lepidocrocite-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
  <img alt="#1 2015 1-14-15 LO Quartz with Lepidocrocite 2 Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1031 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1031" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#1 2015 1-14-15 LO Quartz with Lepidocrocite 2 Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1029/1-2015-1-14-15-LO-Quartz-with-Lepidocrocite-2-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 Quartz with Lepidocrocite inclusions, not mounted (held in Foldscope with tweezers)
</p>
<p>
 More to come!
</p>
<p>
 GemGirl
</p>


More Gem Photos

<p>
 Here’s a few more that I got in my 1st round:
</p>
<p>
 2 natural Emeralds on left, Synthetic on right.  Emerald with natural inclusions below.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="6-2014-12-21-14-10-Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6-2014-12-21-14-10-Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn.jpg">
  <img alt="#6 2014 12-21-14 10 Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1038 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1038" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#6 2014 12-21-14 10 Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6-2014-12-21-14-10-Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn.jpg"/>
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 <a alt="6b-2014-12-15-14-LO-nat-emer1-1-incl-liq-and-iron-stain.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6b-2014-12-15-14-LO-nat-emer1-1-incl-liq-and-iron-stain.jpg">
  <img alt="#6b 2014 12-15-14 LO nat emer#1 1 incl liq and iron stain" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1039 gcloudimg" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6b-2014-12-15-14-LO-nat-emer1-1-incl-liq-and-iron-stain.jpg"/>
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<p>
 Synthetic emerald (hydrothermal), showing wavy growth lines internally, across facets.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="6c-2015-1-15-15-HI-syn-emerald-2-wavy-growth-lines-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6c-2015-1-15-15-HI-syn-emerald-2-wavy-growth-lines-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#6c 2015 1-15-15 HI syn emerald 2 wavy growth lines Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1040 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1040" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#6c 2015 1-15-15 HI syn emerald 2 wavy growth lines Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/6c-2015-1-15-15-HI-syn-emerald-2-wavy-growth-lines-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 Melt relic, showing that this Ruby is natural, but has been heat-treated.  The dark crystal at the epicenter expands at a different rate when heat is applied, leaving a radiating ring of damage.
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="3b-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-ruby1-1-heated-melt-relic.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/3b-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-ruby1-1-heated-melt-relic.jpg">
  <img alt="#3b 2015 1-14-15 LO nat ruby#1 1 heated melt relic" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1041 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1041" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#3b 2015 1-14-15 LO nat ruby#1 1 heated melt relic" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/3b-2015-1-14-15-LO-nat-ruby1-1-heated-melt-relic.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 This is one of my favorites.  The stone is Quartz/Amethyst.  The strips inside are Hematite inclusions.  They are actually bright red.  In the hi-mag view, through, they show as nearly black.  But they show up and it looks cool!  You can also see a string of liquid inclusions (bubbles caused when forming the stone).
</p>
<p>
 <a alt="9-2015-1-11-15-Other-Samples-Quartz-Amethyst-with-Hematite-Incl-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/9-2015-1-11-15-Other-Samples-Quartz-Amethyst-with-Hematite-Incl-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#9 2015 1-11-15 Other Samples - Quartz-Amethyst with Hematite Incl Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1042 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1042" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#9 2015 1-11-15 Other Samples – Quartz-Amethyst with Hematite Incl Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/9-2015-1-11-15-Other-Samples-Quartz-Amethyst-with-Hematite-Incl-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
 <a alt="9-2015-1-15-15-HI-Qtz-Am-Hema-4-RichtoneHDR.jpg" class="gcloudimg" href="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/9-2015-1-15-15-HI-Qtz-Am-Hema-4-RichtoneHDR.jpg">
  <img alt="#9 2015 1-15-15 HI Qtz-Am-Hema 4 Richtone(HDR)" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1043 gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1043" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#9 2015 1-15-15 HI Qtz-Am-Hema 4 Richtone(HDR)" data-recalc-dims="1" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_1037/9-2015-1-15-15-HI-Qtz-Am-Hema-4-RichtoneHDR.jpg"/>
 </a>
</p>
<p>
 Love my Foldscope!  Have a few ideas to make it more flexible for Gemological use:  front piece with magnetic phone coupler and lens is great.  Wish the lens could be protected to prevent scratching.  Also wish the gap for a slide could be a slightly larger gap to allow for loose stones.  Last, if there was a means of having the lighting module, but with a 3-4″ fiber optic light, then light could be pointed from any position – even used on mounted gems, and the current light’s bump in the back panel would not be in the way.  Just some thoughts.
 <span style="text-decoration: underline">
  Gems &amp; Gemology
 </span>
 managine, the premiere outlet for Gemology news, has asked me to write an article about my use of the Foldscope, including photos.  Hope to be publishing soon, as I’m highly recommending this tool (even in current format) for field use!
</p>
<p>
 GemGirl
</p>
<p>
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         <img alt="2014 12-15-14 nat incl liq and iron stain in nat emerald" class="attachment-thumbnail gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="238" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="2014 12-15-14 nat incl liq and iron stain in nat emerald" height="150" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_236/2014-12-15-14-nat-incl-liq-and-iron-stain-in-nat-emerald.jpg" width="150"/>
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     <p>
      Somehow, I was editing, and lost my text.  The above were the first pics of Gems I took with the Foldscope.  As a Gemologist, I was curious if this tool would be good for field gem ID, and detecting natural from synthetic.  The pink photo shows a liquid inclusion, proving that I was looking at a natural 1mm Ruby.  The green photo was a natural Emerald, as evidenced by the black chromite inclusions, liquid inclusions (look like bubbles), and rusty iron deposits.  My focusing got better as I got further into my study.
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         <img alt="#6 2014 12-21-14 10 Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn" class="attachment-thumbnail gcloudimg" data-attachment-id="1038" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="#6 2014 12-21-14 10 Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn" height="150" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/microcosmosdelta.appspot.com/images/transfer_236/6-2014-12-21-14-10-Emeralds-2Nat-1Syn.jpg" width="150"/>
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     <p>
      This is the natural Emerald from the above photo (it was on a slide when photographed at low mag).  Could not get the Ruby pic to load.  The right shows how I prepared slides.  I most used 1-3mm tiny gems, and affixed with CA onto a glass slide.  For the most part, if the object was translucent/transparent enough for light to pass through, I got good pics.  Magnification was great and I could definitely tell natural from synthetic.  I also tried some loose stones, held with tweezers in the slide gap, and larger pieces….detailed that in other posts.
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Kate Pleatman

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Foldscope Lens Magnification