The first book devoted exclusively to the spectroscope and its use in
gemstone identification.
Until 1933 the refractometer and the microscope were the two principal
tools in gem testing. Then B.W. Anderson introduced the hand
spectroscope which quickly became the third vital instrument for the UK
gemmologist. The publication of Anderson's papers in the mid-1950s
alerted gem laboratories worldwide to the importance of this instrument.
Today its use is universal.
Anderson and his lifelong colleague, Payne, both of the world's first
full-time gemmological laboratory, were the pioneers in recognizing the
vast potential of the spectroscope for this purpose, and The
Spectroscope and Gemmology, as the extensively edited, updated and
enlarged version of Anderson's original papers, provides a vital
textbook wherever gemmology is used or taught. The distinguished
gemmologist R. Keith Mitchell has undertaken the editing and has added
chapters on the Pye spectrophotometer and on lasers. He has also
reproduced new line drawings of spectra in three aspects to accommodate
the prism instrument in both the British version and in that favoured by
American gemmologists, and in another version as seen through the
diffraction grating instrument.
Written for gemmologists everywhere and incorporating the latest
developments this book will prove indispensable to all engaged in
gemstone identification.
