The
Gem Testing Laboratory attached to the Directorate
of Mining and Geology, since its inception in 1985,
has been rendering service to the general public and
the Gem and Jewellery industry in particular. The
Lab, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, is
an authority in the field of gem identification and
is the only one of its kind under Government of Kerala.
The laboratory issues Gem Test Certificate with security
hologram and digital image. The booming gem trade
in the southern parts of India owes much to the credibility
of the certificate issued by this laboratory.
Infrastructure
The
sophisticated Gem Testing instruments in the
laboratory are:
-
Stereo Binocular Microscope with digital imaging
facility
- Stereo
Binocular Microscope with fibre optic
illuminator
|
 |
- Refractometers
-
Spectroscope
-
Polariscope
-
UV lamps
-
Thermo diamond probe
-
Digital weighing balance
Other
gem instruments include Chelsea Colour Filter
and Filter Filter and Dichroscope. |
Services
rendered
The
Lab undertakes identification of gemstones and issues
certificate on the same day itself.
The
laminated certificate issued by the Lab contains following
information: the name of the gemstone, type of gemstone
(natural or synthetic), and stone’s physical properties
and optical parameters. Image given below is a specimen
of the gemstone certificate with security hologram,
office seal, and watermark (not visible in given image)
issued currently by the Lab.
Due
to high reputation and credibility of the Lab, sometimes
Hon: Courts make use of the services of the Lab in
disposing cases pertaining to gemstone deception.
|
Gem Testing Fee
The
Lab charges only nominal fees for testing of
gemstones. The fees charged are low compared
to that charged by other Labs in the country.
The present fee structure is given below:
|
| Item |
Type
of stone |
Rate |
| 1 |
Precious
Stones (Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald,
Chrysoberyl including Cat’s Eye and Alexandrite) |
Rs.
300 per stone |
| 2 |
Semi-precious
Stones (Stones not included in item no.1) |
Rs.
225 per stone |
| 3 |
Synthetic
Gemstones |
Rs.
150 per stone |
Note:
Organic gems like Pearl, Coral, Amber etc. are not
tested in the lab.
| Graphic
representation on the number of gemstones tested
in the Lab |
Digital
images of some of the gemstones tested in the Lab
