GEM TESTING LABORATORY

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:

Graphic representation on the number of gemstones tested in the Lab

Digital images of some of the gemstones tested in the Lab