A method for generating a highly distinctive signature of a certain diamond, the method may include generating, based on one or more images of the certain diamond, a certain diamond signature of the certain diamond; finding, out of a group of reference diamonds, other diamonds having other diamond signatures; wherein the finding comprises calculating similarities between the certain diamond signature and reference diamond signatures of the reference diamonds of the group; and generating a new certain diamond signature that significantly differs from signatures of the other diamonds.

Provided herein is an apparatus for assessing a fluorescence characteristic of a gemstone. The apparatus comprises an optically opaque platform for supporting a gemstone to be assessed, one or more light source to provide uniform UV and non-UV illumination, an image capturing component, and a telecentric lens positioned to provide fluorescent images of the illuminated gemstone to the image capturing component. Also provided are methods of fluorescence analysis based on images collected using such an apparatus.

There is disclosed an apparatus and method for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones. The apparatus comprises one or more measurement locations, each comprising at least one measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of a gemstone. A continuously moveable surface supports the gemstones thereon and transports the gemstones to the one or more measurement locations. A separation device separates the gemstones from one another as they are transported on the moveable surface to the one or more measurement locations. A location trigger at a sensor location comprises a sensor for identifying when the gemstone passes through the sensor location. A controller receives a signal from the location trigger, records the position of the moveable surface when the signal is received, and tracks the subsequent location of the gemstone by monitoring the movement of the moveable surface such that a measurement of the one or more properties of each gemstone can be correlated with a location of the respective gemstone on the moveable surface. Specific markers in the luminescence properties of the gemstone may be used to identify properties of the stone.

A device for inspection and authentication of gemstones (diamond pieces) includes a first member having a plurality of gemstone receiving portions, a second member having a plurality of diamonds covering portions which correspond to the gemstone receiving portions; each of the diamond covering portions having a viewing and inspection opening formed therein, a connection member disposed between end portions of the first and second members, a seal placement area formed on each of the first and second members; and an authentication seal configured to be placed on the seal placement area. The authentication seal is provided on the seal placement area without obstructing the viewing and inspection openings. The size of the viewing and inspection openings is less than size of gemstones placed in the gemstone receiving portion. The viewing and inspection opening includes one or more elongated portions for inserting a twizzer therethrough for holding and rotating diamond.

A method of determining an optimal target gemstone to be obtained from a rough gemstone comprises obtaining a first series of 2D images of the rough gemstone; providing a 3D model of a target gemstone to be obtained from the rough gemstone; and generating a second series of 2D images of the target gemstone from the 3D model thereof. The method then comprises comparing the first and second series of 2D images to determine an optimal transformation to be applied to the 3D model of the target gemstone.

Systems and methods of quantum sensing include obtaining information regarding a target signal in electronic spin states of quantum defects in an ensemble of quantum defects, mapping the information regarding the target signal from the electronic spin states of the quantum defects to corresponding nuclear spin states associated with the quantum defects, applying a light pulse to the ensemble of quantum defects to reset the electronic spin states of the quantum defects, and repeating a readout stage a plurality of times within a readout duration. The readout stage includes mapping the information regarding the target signal back from the nuclear spin states to the corresponding electronic spin states and applying a data acquisition readout pulse to optically measure the electronic spin states of the quantum defects.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the examination of gemstones including diamonds, both cut/polished and rough, using the technology of Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy. The resonant frequencies are obtained by mechanically causing the stone to vibrate using a swept sine oscillator, sensing the resonance vibrations, and displaying the spectrum to yield a pattern describing the stone. The resonance fingerprints can be used to both track an individual stone to verify its integrity or to grade a rough stone to establish potential value.

Provided herein is an apparatus for assessing a fluorescence characteristic of a gemstone. The apparatus comprises an optically opaque platform for supporting a gemstone to be assessed, one or more light source to provide uniform UV and non-UV illumination, an image capturing component, and a telecentric lens positioned to provide fluorescent images of the illuminated gemstone to the image capturing component. Also provided are methods of fluorescence analysis based on images collected using such an apparatus.

A method and system are provided for model-based analysis of samples of interest and management of sample classification. Predetermined modeled data is provided including data indicative of K models for respective K measurement schemes based on a predetermined function having a spectral line shape, data indicative of M characteristic vectors of M predetermined group to which different samples relate, and data indicative of a common vector of weights for the M groups. A data processor utilizes the data and operates to apply model-based processing to measured spectral data of a sample of interest using the predetermined modeled data, and generate classification data indicative of relation of the specific sample of interest to one of the M predetermined groups.

The present invention provides a method of generating a fingerprint for a gemstone (5), for example a diamond, using x-ray imaging. The fingerprint comprises a three-dimensional map of a crystal or crystals present within the gemstone (5) including internal imperfections of the crystals and may also comprise further information about the gemstone (5). The method comprising the steps of: mounting the gemstone (5) in a sample holder (4) of an imaging apparatus, the imaging apparatus comprising a detector (6), a sample holder (4) mounted on a sample stage (3), an x-ray source (1), the sample holder (4) and the x-ray source (1) aligned along an optical axis, wherein the sample holder (4) is movable relative to the at least one x-ray source (1) and the detector (6); exposing the gemstone (5) to x-ray radiation from the x-ray source (1), whilst moving the sample holder (4) according to a search strategy that is predetermined for the gemstone (5) based on known physical characteristics of the gemstone (5); using the detector (6) to locate diffraction and/or extinction spots generated by the lattice of the crystals; utilising the located diffraction and/or extinction spots to calculate information about the position, orientation, and phase of the crystals; generating a suitable x-ray diffraction scanning strategy from the calculated information, the strategy including moving the sample holder (4) relative to the x-ray source (1) and the detector (6) and exposing the gemstone (5) to appropriate x-ray radiation as the sample holder (4) is moved, wherein the strategy is generated to locate and classify internal imperfections in the at least one crystal; scanning the gemstone according to the scanning strategy and recording the diffraction and/or extinction images using the detector (6); and generating a fingerprint from the recorded diffraction and/or extinction images.