A process for determining the type of a diamond, wherein the type of diamond is determined by the steps of (i) measuring the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres of a diamond of unknown type (110a); and (ii) determining the type of diamond by comparing the fluorescence lifetime characteristics measured at step (i) with the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres of known diamond types (120a), wherein the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres are indicative of the physical properties of a diamond, which are indicative of the type of a diamond.

A process for determining the type of a diamond, wherein the type of diamond is determined by the steps of (i) measuring the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres of a diamond of unknown type (110a); and (ii) determining the type of diamond by comparing the fluorescence lifetime characteristics measured at step (i) with the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres of known diamond types (120a), wherein the fluorescence lifetime characteristics of colour centres are indicative of the physical properties of a diamond, which are indicative of the type of a diamond.

A method of re-identifying a rough gemstone comprises providing a 3D model of a first rough gemstone; generating a series of virtual 2D silhouette images of the 3D model; processing each 2D image of the series of virtual 2D silhouette images to obtain a dataset associated with the first rough gemstone; and comparing the dataset of the first rough gemstone with an existing dataset of a rough gemstone. Where the dataset of the first rough gemstone and the existing dataset match each other, the method comprises re-identifying the first rough gemstone as the same rough gemstone from which the existing dataset was obtained.

Systems and methods for processing a plurality of loose gemstones resting on a worksurface are disclosed. The system comprises an image capturing device for capturing an image of the plurality of loose gemstones on the worksurface. The system further comprises a computing device having a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a processor. Additionally, the processor is configured by executing a software application to analyze the image to detect edges of objects within the image and generate a diagram representing the detected edges of the gemstones. The processor is further configured to detect, using a trained neural network processing the image and the diagram, individual gemstones within the image and count the individual gemstones detected within the image to determine a gemstone count. The processor is also configured to perform, using an output device, a processing operation on the gemstones as a function of the gemstone count.

Systems and methods here may be used for a setup of fluorescence image capturing of a gemstone, such as a diamond placed on a flat stage. Some examples utilize a setup that both sends light and captures the image from the table side of the gemstone by passing ultraviolet (UV) light between 10 nm and 400 nm to the gemstone and capturing the excited fluorescence image for analysis through a dichroic beam splitter. In some examples, the cutoff is 300 nm. The dichroic beam splitter arrangement allows for the camera to focus on the same interface of the stage and gemstone over and over for ease of use and without moving, changing, or adjusting the equipment for different samples.

Systems and methods here may be used for a setup of fluorescence image capturing of a gemstone, such as a diamond placed on a flat stage. Some examples utilize a setup that both sends light and captures the image from the table side of the gemstone by passing ultraviolet (UV) light between 10 nm and 400 nm to the gemstone and capturing the excited fluorescence image for analysis through a dichroic beam splitter. In some examples, the cutoff is 300 nm. The dichroic beam splitter arrangement allows for the camera to focus on the same interface of the stage and gemstone over and over for ease of use and without moving, changing, or adjusting the equipment for different samples.

Systems and methods for determining properties of gemstones based, inter alia, on fluorescence properties of the gemstones, are presented. In one aspect, properties of at least one gemstone can be determined. In another aspect, a relationship between at least two gemstones can be determined. In one example, a first and a second gemstones are illuminated with illuminating light of at least one fluorescence-exciting wavelength range; corresponding at least one first fluorescence-emission light and at least one second fluorescence-emission light spectrum, emitted from the first and second gemstones respectively are detected and analyzed, either independently or by comparison, to determine the relationship between the first and second gemstones. In some examples, data indicative of visible light absorbance or three-dimensional models of the gemstones is combined with the fluorescence data to determine the properties or the relationship.

Systems and methods for determining properties of gemstones based, inter alia, on fluorescence properties of the gemstones, are presented. In one aspect, properties of at least one gemstone can be determined. In another aspect, a relationship between at least two gemstones can be determined. In one example, a first and a second gemstones are illuminated with illuminating light of at least one fluorescence-exciting wavelength range; corresponding at least one first fluorescence-emission light and at least one second fluorescence-emission light spectrum, emitted from the first and second gemstones respectively are detected and analyzed, either independently or by comparison, to determine the relationship between the first and second gemstones. In some examples, data indicative of visible light absorbance or three-dimensional models of the gemstones is combined with the fluorescence data to determine the properties or the relationship.

A method and apparatus detects an unknown deposit in soil of a known mineral or gemstone using characteristic scents of the mineral or gemstone. The method may disturb the soil, for example, by causing a chemical reaction in at least part of the soil such that a mineral or gemstone present in the soil emits a characteristic scent. The unknown deposit of the known mineral or gemstone can be detected in real-time or near real-time in the field.

A method and apparatus detects an unknown deposit in soil of a known mineral or gemstone using characteristic scents of the mineral or gemstone. The method may disturb the soil, for example, by causing a chemical reaction in at least part of the soil such that a mineral or gemstone present in the soil emits a characteristic scent. The unknown deposit of the known mineral or gemstone can be detected in real-time or near real-time in the field.