Method, system and computer program product for verification of jewelry items through evaluation of one or more images of a gemstone captured at one or more points in time. The captured images show at least the gemstone girdle. The images are analyzed to identify unique gemstone girdle physical characteristics and one or more diagrams and codes representing the unique combination of gemstone physical characteristics are generated. The gemstone images, diagrams and associated identification information can be stored by the system in a database record using block-chain techniques. Subsequently captured query images can be analyzed and compared to identify/authenticate a gemstone, detect any change in the gemstone. The system is also configured to update the database record with each gemstone verification and maintain a secure block-chain based record of all detected gemstone changes, verifications and related transactions. The system further enables various enhanced security methods and retail applications through a commerce platform.

The passivation of a nonlinear optical crystal for use in an inspection tool includes growing a nonlinear optical crystal in the presence of at least one of fluorine, a fluoride ion and a fluoride-containing compound, mechanically preparing the nonlinear optical crystal, performing an annealing process on the nonlinear optical crystal and exposing the nonlinear optical crystal to a hydrogen-containing or deuterium-containing passivating gas.

A method of analysing an at least partially transparent object, such as a gemstone, includes fixing the object in a holder; immersing the object in the holder in an immersion material; and analysing internal and/or external features of the object. Analysing comprises visualizing an internal and/or external portion of the object using light rays while the object is immersed in the immersion material, and determining characteristics of the object based on the visualized internal and/or external portion of the object. During the analysing step, the difference between the refractive index (RI) of the immersion material and the RI of at least an immersed portion of the holder, which is in contact with the object, is less than 0.3.

A method of analysing an at least partially transparent object, such as a gemstone, includes fixing the object in a holder; immersing the object in the holder in an immersion material; and analysing internal and/or external features of the object. Analysing comprises visualizing an internal and/or external portion of the object using light rays while the object is immersed in the immersion material, and determining characteristics of the object based on the visualized internal and/or external portion of the object. During the analysing step, the difference between the refractive index (RI) of the immersion material and the RI of at least an immersed portion of the holder, which is in contact with the object, is less than 0.3.

A method and system for generating a clarity grading look-up table includes collecting actual inclusion parameter data for a plurality of gems, where the actual inclusion parameter data includes an actual clarity grade and an actual inclusion parameter data combination. A mathematical relationship between a clarity grade and a particular inclusion parameter combination is then extrapolated from the actual inclusion parameter data. A derived clarity grade is then assigned to a plurality of inclusion parameter combinations as a function of the mathematical relationship and a set of inputted inclusion parameters. Also, a method and system for providing a clarity grade includes receiving a plurality of inclusion characteristics associated with a gem and parameterizing each of the inclusion characteristics, so that a parameter value is assigned to each inclusion characteristic. The parameter values are then input to a mathematical formula so as to provide a parameterized clarity grade for the gem.

A method and system for generating a clarity grading look-up table includes collecting actual inclusion parameter data for a plurality of gems, where the actual inclusion parameter data includes an actual clarity grade and an actual inclusion parameter data combination. A mathematical relationship between a clarity grade and a particular inclusion parameter combination is then extrapolated from the actual inclusion parameter data. A derived clarity grade is then assigned to a plurality of inclusion parameter combinations as a function of the mathematical relationship and a set of inputted inclusion parameters. Also, a method and system for providing a clarity grade includes receiving a plurality of inclusion characteristics associated with a gem and parameterizing each of the inclusion characteristics, so that a parameter value is assigned to each inclusion characteristic. The parameter values are then input to a mathematical formula so as to provide a parameterized clarity grade for the gem.

Systems and methods here may be configured for cooling and examining materials. In some example embodiments, the system may include a main thermoconductive body with indentations on the top surface, a bottom surface having legs structures along the edge, wherein the bottom surface and the plurality of leg structures form a partially enclosed bottom chamber, and a center channel connecting the top surface and the bottom chamber.

Systems and methods here may be configured for cooling and examining materials. In some example embodiments, the system may include a main thermoconductive body with indentations on the top surface, a bottom surface having legs structures along the edge, wherein the bottom surface and the plurality of leg structures form a partially enclosed bottom chamber, and a center channel connecting the top surface and the bottom chamber.

There are provided method for detecting inclusions in a gemstone comprising illuminating the gemstone by successively producing illumination patterns on the gemstone each selected so as to simultaneously provide an internal uniform illumination of one or more predetermined light exit regions of the gemstone, and each being defined by a unique combination of spaced apart light entrance areas illuminated simultaneously from corresponding illumination directions. The method further comprises capturing a plurality of images of the gemstone when illuminated as indicated above, processing the images and identifying inclusions in the images based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images. The illumination patterns can be produced by an illumination system configured to selectively illuminate the spaced apart light entrance areas of the gemstone from corresponding illumination directions. The illumination system can be controlled by a controller configured to cause the system to successively produce the illumination patterns. The images of the gemstone can be captured by an image acquisition device and processed by an image processing system configured for identifying inclusions based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images.

There are provided method for detecting inclusions in a gemstone comprising illuminating the gemstone by successively producing illumination patterns on the gemstone each selected so as to simultaneously provide an internal uniform illumination of one or more predetermined light exit regions of the gemstone, and each being defined by a unique combination of spaced apart light entrance areas illuminated simultaneously from corresponding illumination directions. The method further comprises capturing a plurality of images of the gemstone when illuminated as indicated above, processing the images and identifying inclusions in the images based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images. The illumination patterns can be produced by an illumination system configured to selectively illuminate the spaced apart light entrance areas of the gemstone from corresponding illumination directions. The illumination system can be controlled by a controller configured to cause the system to successively produce the illumination patterns. The images of the gemstone can be captured by an image acquisition device and processed by an image processing system configured for identifying inclusions based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images.