GB2358541A

GB2358541A - Gemstone image capture system

Info

Publication number: GB2358541A
Application number: GB0026391A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ygal Hausman
Original assignee: DIAMOND AND JEWELRY 4 U Ltd
Current assignee: DIAMOND AND JEWELRY 4 U Ltd
Priority date: 1999-10-29
Filing date: 2000-10-27
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Also published as: IL134664A0; GB0026391D0; JP2001201454A; GB2358541A8; BE1014011A3

Abstract

A gemstone image capture system comprises a number of identical user terminals (4) which are capable of capturing high quality images of a gemstone. The images may be made publicly available on an internet website to allow potential buyers to inspect the gems via a remote viewing station (7A). A gemstone imaging device (figures 2-4) is also disclosed, comprising a digital image capture device which acquires images of a gemstone mounted upon a light transmitting bearing member. The image capture device is arranged to acquire images of the gemstone through an aperture (22) of the support block (16). Furthermore, a gemstone examination device is also disclosed, to enable the user to detect a gemstone registration marking by scanning the gemstone's surface along a predetermined path. The website may also provide a graphic user interface (GUI) to display a gem certificate (figure 22) and convey important details relating to the gemstone to the buyer. A method for generating a computer image of a gemstone is also disclosed, wherein bitmap information relating to a gemstone is downloaded onto a computer and interpreted to generate a computer rendered still image of the stone which is perceived as continuously movable by the buyer. A method for obtaining a stereoscopic image of a gemstone is also disclosed.

Description

2358541 SYSTEM FOR TRADE IN PRECIOUS GEMSTONES FICELD OF THE EWEMON Ibis

invention relates to a system and method for trading in precious gemstones, gemstone examination apparatus for examination of gemstones, a method for obtaining a pair of complement digital left and right images of an object for displaying a stereoscopic, image thcreof and a method for displaying a visually continuously movable image of an object at a computer terminal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trade in precious gemstones in general and diamonds in particular (hereinafter referred to gemstones) is based on evraluations by trained professionals who carefully scrutinize a gemstone with their n&ed eye and/or using a X10 magnifying glass, or a microscope. A professional evaluation of a gemstone -depends on quantifiable parameters such as weight, color, clarity in terms of its imperfections, polW cut, and relative proportions of a gemstonds different portions, and also on its inherent beauty in terms of its brilliance in the way flid it 1:5 reflects light A gemstone's proportions can be calculated from a t= dimensional wire frarrne representation of a gemstone, for example, as implemented in calibrated optic digital image acquisition systems commercially available from Ogi Ltd, Ls=l; Sarin Ltd, israeL- and others. Certification of a gemstone can be obtained from one or more internationally recopized bodies, for emnnple, the G= Trade Laboratory of the Gemological Institute of America. Other certification can be in the form of a Gem Certificate as illustrated and described in US Patent 5,899,503 Gemstones are now traded over the Internet at -various Websites including twer alia wwwgemkeynet, wwwdianiondaiet, and wwwpolygoncom. The websites act as virtual market places, and maintain inventories of gemstones for sale including details of the above-mentioned parameters for each g together with its asking price, per carat. In addition, gemstones with s 1 specifications can be put up for sale in clusters. A potential buyer of a n can search an inventory of gemstones for sale by specifying search paramet b example, asking price per carat, and the like. Assuming th, a the inv list$ one or morp, gemstone,%, or clusters of gemstones, meeting his search the buyer is presented with same. The buyer then enters a purchasing or in respect of one or rnore of the items in which he is interested in which are th" to him for evaluation, and which are rcturned to the seller if the buyer cannot an agreement with him. nus, whilst trade in gemstones has been some, streed, there still remains a considerable undesirable movement of which could otherwise be avoided if a potential buyer of a gemstone, or a clust f gemstones, could remotely and independently substantiate a seller's. uation, a gtone and in particular its matket value.

Registration mar are now inscribed on gemstones for identific i purposes. The most common "c of registration marking includes letters numbers constituted by a series of spaced apart ligbt difflising segments on One gemstone, s fig polished surfacm and typicaRy either its table or its girdle. type of marking uses a 0.5 pm high segments and is about 5Ogm long so as t invisible to the naked eye, thereby not detracting from a ge=tone's beau 2 Deteedon of a g0nc's reOtratiOn marki ng require, at least a magnification and scanning either a g=stone's entire table or girdle, and is a tl con and cumbersome process.

SUNDIARY OF THE ENVENTION Trade in gemstones involves transactions between 'a seller of a gemsto and "a potential buyer of a gemstone % however, a seller in one t=actioll MaY i a potentW buYer in another transaction bY virtue, Of the nature of trade ', ' g,_mston". Therefore, the present specification employs thO SPccific twm seller of a gemstone and Irta potential bzW of a gone", and sometimes generic tenn - a user" as most appropriate within the context of the description. Moreover, the present specification pertains to trade in single gemstones only, however, it should be understood that the present invention equally applies to trade in clusters of similar gemstone;s. Also, the present specification pertains, to trade in so-caffeAi circular cut gemstones, however, it should be understood that the present invention also equally applies to trade in other shaped gemstones.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for trading in gemstones, each gemstone having a flat table defining a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto, a girdl6, a pavilion, and a cullet, the system comprising a plurality of user terminals for capturing digital lifelike color images of a gemstone, each of said user tinuinals being capable of generating the same standard portfolio of digital lifelike color images for a particular gemstone, thereby enabling a potential buyer to independently evaluate its market value in accordance with internationally recognized standards.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of trading in gemstones, the method comprising the steps:

(a) providing a data storage device with a plurality of portfolios of digital lifelike color images of gemstones each enabling a potential buyer of a gemstone to independently evaluate its market value from its associated portfolio of images in accordance with internationally recognized standards; and (b) enabling one or more potential buyers of gemstones remote access to the data storage device whereupon a po=tial buyer of a gemstone can peruse through the portfbHo of images of a particular gemstone which he is contemplating to purchase.

A system and method for trading In precious gemstones in accordance with the present invention necessarily includes the generating of a standard portfolio of digital, lifelike color finages for a particular gemstone whereby a potential buyer of a precious gemstone can independently, on the one hand, determine its trade recognized quantifiable parameters and, on the other hand, appreciate its beauty for evaluating its market value as if he was physically scrutim.7-ing the gemstone J S jif The necessity that each and every user terminz] of the system will ge; Lc r ate substantially identical portfolios for the sarne gemstone is crucial to the traag ol' gemstones since otherwise potential buyers will not be able to implicitly rely i a 5 portfolio when contemplating whether he, wants to purchase a particular geMvirie, 1 The system and method of the present invention can either be irnplementeo a smer based intranet or on a business4o-business Website maintaining an invo 01 of portfolios of images of gemstones for sale. In both implementations, a po,q 1iA buyer can preferably conduct a telephone conirersation with a seller of a geM! sbn( 1 o to instruct him to show him on-line particular views of a gemistone that:: Ii, is interested in purchasing.

The imaging of a gemstone is particularly difficult due to its highly po sk surfaces reflecting light in such a manner that its interior is obscured for exa n.,!Ie: as in photographs for advertising purposes which accentuate a gemstones b x I it) but do not reveal its imperfections. Against this, photographs of a gerns; bips imperfections are normally "lifeless " in the sense that they are devoid of any i, of he genistone7s beauty, for example, as obtainable by aiparatus for nf gemstones illustrated and described in US Patent 4,906,0 83 to Sattler i it - -CI 1 employs dark field illumination or polarized filters. The present inv4 i kjon overcomes the difficulties of imaging a gemstone by, on the one hand, effeiyely shielding a gemstone fxom ambient light which would otherwise cause two i is= tenninals to generate two different portfolios of images depending on their, 14 ka i environments and, on the other hand, so-called "bathilng" a gemstone in diftse( artificial white light in such a balanced manner such that captured s:W i neither too brilliant nor too lifeless. Moreover, at least some of the imag, s so-called 'Wcating" images of uniform background and illumination, and wh'J dc

I not include discernible contours of a transparent gemstone specimen to [dei employed for mounting a gemstone during the capturing of images thereof.

A gemstone7s portfolio of digital, lifelike, color images includes '14, 1 30 more still images of its table, its girdle, and the like, and also preferably in; h e,, V 1 1 one or more movable images of a genistone!s surface, images suitable for displaying a stereoscopic image of a gemstone using any one of a number of cmmercially available systems, for exmple, the Simuleyefm stereoscopic vICWing system available from Neotek Inc., a three dimensional representation of a geone viewable in three dimensional viewing space in a manner similar to that described in US Patent 5,793,372, an image of a gemstone's registration marldng, and a Gem Certificate including at least one representation of a gemstone with its imperfections indicated for the purpose of evaluation by a potential buyer. The movable images may include one or more of the following images: First a so-called tiltable image of a gemstone's surface which may be either its table, its girdle or its pavffion. Second, a rotatable image of a gemstone's surface which may be either its table or its pavilim And lastly, a precession-like movable image of a ge=tone!s table as the gemstone undergoes a superimposed combination of the movements for the socalled tiltable image of its table together with the gemstones is rotation about its longitudinal axis. The movable images may be true video streams, or series of computer rendered animated images gmerated on- the-fly at a potential buyer's computer terminal from bit map information doaded th The movable images of a gemstione are important supplements to the still images since em better provide a sense of the location and the depth of an imperfecfion in a gemstone, and flathermore they can reveal ections which may o&erwise be concealed behind a gemstone's mrface blindingly reflecting light. The images can also be manually processed by a seller to include Areas of interest (A0Is) graphically indicating the locations of a gemstone's imperfections for facilitating a potential buyer's awareness of same, and therefore improving the accuracy of his evaluation of the gemstone's market value. The images of a gemstone, and especially those which include A0Is, can be y incorporated in a Gem Certificate issued by an internationally recod body, for example, the above mentioned Gem Trade Labomtory Also, one or more of the images may include a color chart for facilitating a potential buyer's determination of a gemstone's color.

In accordance with a still, yet another aspect of the present invention, theqx provided a method for displaying a Asually continuously movable image Tf gemstone at a computer terminal remote from a database, the method comprisi the steps of.

(a)dowaloading bit map information regarding a. gemstone from database to the computer terminal; (b)generating from the downloaded bit map information at the compitt terminal an on-the-fly computer rendered animated image of t gemstone from a particular line of sight directed toward the gemsor to and (c)refreshing the computer rendered mnimated image of the gernstone 00 different lines of sight directed toward the gemstones as indicated In potential buyer of the gemstone at bis computer terminal e displaying a series of animated images of the gemstone perceived i IIS visually continuously movable image by the potential buyer.

The method for displaying a visually continuously movable iniage Of gemstone according to the present invention at a potential buyer's com terminal overcomes I atency and bandwidth problems involved in transmitting d streams, for example, over the Internet- The visually continuously movable h, a can be of a particular surface of a gemstone, for example, its table, or alteraati -e it can be of a three dimensional representation of a gemstone. The V, 1S continuously movable image of a gemstone's table can be a tiltable irnag., , rotatable image, or a precession-like movable image. I in the case of a tiltable image of a gemstone's surface, each comp rendered animated image I(n) displayed on a potential buyer's computer term 1 constructed in accordance with the relationship I(n) = pI(first) + (1-p) I(last) -vA 0:S p < 1, and I(first) and I(last) are digital first and last still, images 0 gemstone's surface with the gemstone's longitudinal axis defining a first during the capture of the first still image and a last direction during the captL# the last still image such that the two directions define a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle oc.

In the case of a rotatable image of a gone's surface, each computer rendered animated image 1(rot) displayed on a potential buyer's computer terminal 5 is constructed in accordance with the relationship.

1(rot) where pixel coordinates j) - li(rot) = i cos 0 - j sin 0 j(rot) = i sin 0 + j cos E) In the case of a visually continuously precession-like movable image of a gemstone's surface, each computer rendered animated image Iffi displayed on a potential buyees computer terminal is constructed in accordance with the relationship I(z) = pl[rert(fust)l + (1-p)l[rot(last)l where 0:5 p:g l, Ifflu-st) and Wast) are digital first and last stifl images of the gemels surface with the, gemstone's longitudinal wds defining a first on during the e of the first still image and a last direction during the. capture of the last so image such that the two directioris define a plane therebetwm and intersect at an acute angle, and I(rot) where pixel coordiates ( j)!(rot) = iOOs 0 - jsine {j(rot) = i sing + j cos 0 In the case of a three dimensional representation of a gemstone viewable in is three dimensional viewing space, each computer generated ed image displayed on a potential buyer's computer terminal is cons by displaying a wre frame representation of the gemstone on the computer terminal m accordance wM a pmtcular fine of sight directed toward the gemstone, and then separately texturing each of the representations facets in accordance with the relationship:

F(i)=7,PG)F(ii) where for j=1 to n different textures of the same facet F(i) each taken from a different line of sight in accordance with a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone, and pG) are directional cosines of the line of sight in a predefined. Cartesian coordinate system.

In accordance with a sC yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining a pair of complementary digital left and right still images of a gernstone for use in displaying a stcreoscopic image ther(, method comprising the steps of- (a) mounting a gemstone in the field of view of a digital Jag i acquisition device; (b) acquiring a left image of the gemstone; (c) displacing the gemstone in the image acquisition device7s fxl I of view; and (d) acquiring a right image of the gemstone, A binocular microscope, for exam:&, as illustrated and des C4 fa to aforementioned US Patent 4,906,083 enables a user to naturally perc i a stereoscopic image of a gemstone. Ja a similar manner, a pair of image acqp 0on devices can be employed for acquiring epipolar left and right still am %ef:)f i gemstone, such images being essential so as to preclude a bluffed stere C:pib image. The method of obtaining a pair of complementary left and right imagms. of the present invention precludes the need for a pair of digital image acqu's kni devices and can be readily effected using the imaging device Ofth, gemstone present invention. The displacement of the gemstone wfthin the image aco s I,= i device's field of view may be either a U-anslation by a distance substantially e pu I to the separation of the eyepieces of a binocular microscope, or the gemsto; e c, be both translated and rotated between two extreme positions equidisUnc respect to the image acquisition device's optical axis, in which positio s gemstone's longitudinal a)ds defines two directions which define a pla on intersect at an acute angle cc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried b i I ir t practice, preferre4l embodiments will now be described, by way of non-lit ii hi; examples only, wiffi reference to the accompanying drawings, in which 114agm parts are likewise numbered and in which- Fig. I is a pictorial representation showing an Internet based system for trade in precious gerastones in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a pictorial representation showing a user terminal of the system of Figure 1 including a gemstone imaging device and a computerized viewing station; Fig. 3 is a pictorial exploded representation showing Ahe gemstone imaging device of Figure 2; Fig. 4 is a pictorial t=sverse cross section representation showing the gemstor)e imaging device of Figure 2 along line IV-IV therein; Figs. 5A and 58 are pictorial represLftfttions. showing two positions of a I o gemstone bearing carriage holding a first type of a gemstone specimen holder; Fig. 6 is a pictorial longitudinal cross section representation of the first type of gemstone specimen holder along line VINI in Figure SA; Fi. 7A is a pictorial representation showing the fiTst type of gemstone 19 specimen holder mounting a gemstone with its table uppermost, Fig. 7B is a pictorial repre=tation showing a near full screen size floating image of the gemstone's table as captured by the user terminal when the gemstone is mounted as shown in Figure 7A; Fig. SA is a pictorial representation showing the first ripe of gemstone specimen holder mounting a gemstone with its cullet uppermost; Fig. 8B is a pictorial representation showing a near fiffl screen size floating image of the g=nstone!s cullet as captured by the user terminal when the genastone is mounted as shown in Figure 8A; Fig. 9A is a pictorial representation showing the first type of gemstone specimen holder mounting a gemstone with its pavilion uppermost; Fig. 9B is a pictorial representation showing a near fUll screen size floating image of the gernstonds pavilion as captured by the user terminal wheft the gemstone is mounted as shown in Figure 9A; Fig. I OA is a pictorial side representation showing the first type of gemstone specimen holder mounting a gemstone with opposite portions of its girdle being upponost, and lowermost, Fig. I OB is a pictorial representation showing a near fWl screen size f104 ti image of the gemstone's girdle, as captured by the user terminal when the gern,%:o is mounted as shown in Figure I OA; Figs. I IA and I I B are pictorial representations showing a second type gemstone specimen holder for enabling the capftuing of a rotatabJe image f gemstone's table; Fig. 12 is a pictorial representation showing of the second type of ge" specimen holder for enabling the capturing of a rotatable inWe of a gemstoa4 pavilion; 10 Fig- 13 is a pictorial representation showing a third type of gemst specimen holder for enabling the capturing of an image of a gemstone's registr4i( marking inscribed on its table; Fig. 14 is a pictorial representation showing a close-up view of 10 illumination of the gemstone's table, and its imaging; 15 Fig. 15 is a pictorial representation showing the scanning of the g surface for locating the registration marking inscribed thereon; Fig. 16 is a pictorial representation showing a fourdi type of gemsx specimen holder for enabling the capturing of an image of a gemstone's registraj i( marking inscribed on its girdle; 20 Fig. 17A is a pictorial representation showing a fifth type of gemsi specimen holder for enabling the capturing of images for generating a dimensional wire frame representation of a gemstone; Fig. 17B is a top view of the gemstone specimen holder offigure 17A; Fig. 18 is a pictorial representation showing a graphic user interface forli, preparation of a pair of complementuy left and right still images of a gernsto table for generating a stereoscopic image thereof for display on a computer viewing station of the system of Figure 1; Fig. 19A is a top view a back illuminated silhouette of a gemstone; Fig. 19B is a pictorial representation of a three dimensional wire fi being superimposed onto an image of a gemstone; Fig. 20 is a schematic representation showing the rotational transformation of an image for rendering visually continuously rotatable and precession-Re images of a gemstone; Fig. 21 is a pictorial representation showing a graphic user interface of a gemstone's portfolio of digital, lifelike, color images as viewed by a potential buyer-, and Fig. 22 is a pictorial representation showing a Gem Certificate of a gemstone.

DETAILED DESCREMON OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to Figure 1, an Internet based system I for trade in precious gemstones includes a Website 2 for maintaining an inventory of portfolios of gemstones for sale 3, and a plurality of identical user terminals 4 connected to the Website 2. Each user terminal 4 includes a gemstone imag7mg device 6 and a computerized viewing station 7 installed with proprietary client software and a ftame grabber for generating a standard portfolio of digitA lifelike color images of a gemstone for sale for inclusion in the Website's inventory A computerized viewing station 7 or a standard computer termfiW 7A can be equally employed for -viewing portfolios of gemstones stored in the Website's inventory A computerized viewing station 7 and a standard computer tembal = be capable of suppor&g a stereoscopic -viewing system for viewing stereoscopic images of a gemstone, represented by a pair of stereoscopic spectacles 8 to be worn by a user, for example, the Simuleyefrm stereoscopic viewing system available from Neotek Inc. Users of the system I cm be in voice communication with one another either by Voice over EP (VoIP), or conventional telephony.

With reference now to Figures 2-4, a gemstone imaging device 6 includes a base 9 with an upright member 11 for slidably supporting a CCD camera 12 (constituting a digital image acquisition device) having an optical a-4s 13, and employed for capturing images of a genistone 14, the gemstone 14 having a flat table A defining a longitudinal axis T perpendicular thereto. 7he CCD camera 12 is slided along the upright mernber I I toward and away from the b 1 (Z- direction) for oapturing images of different sized gemstones. The largcst representation diameter of a gemstone which can be imaged by the gemM o imaging device 6 is determined by the CCD camera's field of view when the, C C s camera 12 is disposed at the top of the upright member 11, and is approximatelk.' nun,

An open-ended box-like support block 16 includes a lower portion 17 wi bottom surface 18 and a pair of upright opposite side walls 19A and 19B t bottom surface 18 being sUdably mounted ori a pair of two spaced rails 2 IA: w jo 21B (Y-direction), thereby enabling reciprocation of the lower portion 17 reW to the CCD camera's optical axis 13 through a stroke of about + 17 millimO about a central position corresponding to the maximum size of a gemstone's 0 b representation which can be imaged. The -bottom surface 18 is formed wil i 1 ftoughgoing aperture 22 disposed above an annular white light source 23 a4d light diffiser 24. The light source 23 can be either a 9 Watt fluorescent 4g source, or can be equally implemented by a series of white LED lights arrangedt:: i'm circl, The side walls 19A and 19B and are painted white, and are formed 4d three pairs of opposite grooves 28, 29, and 31 for slidably receiving a gemstDi bearing caniage 32. The pairs of grooves are about 1.5 cm., 2.5 cm and 35: c above the base 9, respectively. The lowermost pair of grooves 28 iz employe4 f capturing images of gemstones whose table diameters He in the range of (9, 19) The intermediate pair of grooves 29 is employed for capturing imagel gemstones whose table diameters lies in the range of about (20,35) mm. T uppermost pair of grooves 31 are employed for capturing images of gemstqn whose table diameters lie in the range of (2.5,9) mm. Each pair of grooves 2 and 31 is provided with a stop (not shown) against which the carriage 32 abuts i its fiAl insertion thereinto. The side walls of the grooves 28, 29 and 31 tb=sdv are non-reflecting.

The support block's lower portiou 17 is covered by a top surface 33 rigidly attached to the base 9. the top surface 33 being formed with a throughgoing aperture 34 and provided with an annular white fluorescent light source 36 similar to the light source 23, and a light diffuser 37 formed with a throughgoing aperture :5 3 S. The apertures 34 and 38 of the top surface 33 and the light diffuser 37, and the amular light source 36 are disposed so as to be co- axial with the CCD cameWs optical axis 13 for enabling the capturing of images of a gemstone therethrough.

Me open-ended box-like support block 16 has the following intemaJ dimensions: length 6115% crn, width 54=15% crn, and height 4±15% cm, and includes an Mumination an-angement 39 constituted by the light sources 26 and 36 together with their respective light diffusers 24 and 37, and the reflective internal surfaces of the side walls 19A and 19B. The support block 16 is adapti-4 on the one hand, to substantially shield a gemstone ftm ambient light however without completely excluding light from its interior and, on the other hand, to bathe a gemstone in diffUsed white light ftom opposIng orthogonal directions in a balanced ma=er such that fifelflce images of a gemstone can be captured which are neither too brilliant nor too dull. The term "in a balanced manner" should be understood in the sense flud the illumination strength from the opposing Wal directions is approximately equal withk a tolerance of about 10%. Also, due to the fact that most gemstones are symmetrical about their longitudinal axes, the illumination intensity from the radial direction towards the CCD annera!s optical axis is substantially peripherally symmetrical therearound.

With reference now to Figures 5A and 5B, the gemstone bearing carriage 32 includes a U-shaped outer frame 41 with a pair ofparallel and opposite side support 2.5 members 42 and 43, and a cross member 44 extending between side support inembers' opposite adjacent ends 42A and 43A- The side support members' free adjacent ends 42B and 43B are ewh formed with a longitudinally extending slit 46 for ffictionally precluding free uncontrolled movement of the carriage 32 in a pair of grooves 28, 29, and 31. The camage 32 also includes a pair of parallel and opposite support members 47 which are formed with a pair of grooves 49 for slidably receiving different types of clew, transparent, glass slide-like gen specimen holders 49A (X-direction). The support members 47 are rIl, A 1 mounted on the insides of the side support members 42 and 43 between..S position where a gemstone specimen holder 49 is flush with the outer ftne 4 Oid a second position where a gemstone specimen holder 49 subtends an acute a cc upto about 45o relative to the outer fi=e 41 for captufing of particular stili pd movable images of a gemstone's surface as described hereffibelow.

With reference now to Fi"es 6-10, the gemstone specimen holderi14 IA having opposing first and second major srfact 51 and 52 is employe r capturing the following images of a gemstone: a still image of its tables a still' e of its cullet, a still image of its pavilion, a still image of its girdle, a tiltable c of its table, a tiltable image of its pavilions and a pak of complementary left lo th f right still images of its table for use jia displaying a stereoscopic image Crea,ihe gemstone specimen holder 49A is formed with a through jg cylindrical aperhire 53 for removably receiving the gemstone's Mlet; for mo j! the gne 14 such that its longitudinal axis T is co-directional with the camerass optical axis 13, and its table A is uppermost. When so momted, 0.gemstone 14 =be positioned wiffiffi the CW camems field of view such longittAinal axis T is co-axial with the. CCD camera's optical axis 13 (see Fi

2,0 7A), thereby enabling the capturing of a near M1 sized screen image ofT, t gemstonds table A (see Figure 7B). Typically, the gemstone is ed suchi, t its Ss about 90% of the screen's height. In this case, the image of the geinst table A is accompanied by the following legend: Size 1.51K,Color K; Clarity and RENI: FLAT STONE, and it include an AOI 54 indicating the 1 of an imperfection which c-an be seen in the image. As shown, the image of, gone's table A is a floating image in the sense that no visible contour Of the geittstone specimen holder 49 or the cylindrical aperture 53 is dis therein. In this position, a tiltable image of the gemstone's table A can be by the cyclic tilting of the gemstone specitnen holder 49A relative to the C, cameras s optical wds 13 indicated by the arrow J.

The cylindrical aperture 53 can also be employed for invertedly mounting the gemstone 14 such that its longitudinal axis T is co-directional with the CCD camera's optical axis 13, and its cullet B is uppermost (see Figure 8A) for enabling the capture of a still image thereof (Figure 8B). On fincIfflation of the gemstone specimen holder 49A relative to the outer frame 41, the cylindrical aperture 53 can also be employed for mounting the gemstone 14 such that its longitudinal ads T is transversely disposed to the CCD camera's optical axis 13, and its pavilion C is upp=ost (see Figure 9A), thereby enabling the capture of a still image thereof (see Figure 9B). In this position, a Cable c of the tone's pavilion C em be captured by the cyclic tilting of the gemstone specimen holder 49A relative to the CCD camera's optical ads 13 indicated by the arrow K.

The gemstone specimen holder 49A is also fonned with a canoe-shaped aperture 56 whose deepest portion 56A is throughgoing for mounting the gemstone 14 such that its long! axis T is perpendicular to the CCD camera's optical axis 13, and opposite portions of its girdle D are the gemstone's uppermost and lowermost surfaces (see Figure IOA). When so mounte4, the gemstone 14 can be positioned widdn the CCD camera?s field of view for ling the capture of an image of a gemstone's girdle D (see Fig= IOB). In this case, the image of the gemstone's girdle D is accompanied by a remark that the girdle is not polished.

With reference now to E 11A and 11B, a gemstone specimen holder 49B includes a spur gear an-angemeat 57 with a hand rotated gear 58 for driving a driven gear 59 formed with a throughgoing cylindrical aperture 61. The gemstone 14 can be mounted in the gemstone specimen holder 49B with its longitudinal axis T co-axial with the CCD carneras optical =is 13 and h table A uppermost, thereby enabling the capture of a rotatable image thereof In addition, a precession-like movable image of the gemstone's table can be captured by combining the movements of the gemstones rotation with a cyclic tilting about the CCD camcrECs cptical axis 13 indicated by the arrow L.

With reference now to Fig= 12, the gemstone 14 can be i avertedly mounted in the cylindrical aperture with its cullet B uppermost such that on inclination of the Semstone specimen holder 49B relative to the outer fiame 41, its pavilion C is uppermost thereby enabling the capture of a rotatable image therl With reference now to Figures 13-15, a gemstone specimen holder 41 (' is employed with a light source 62 having a light beam 63 with a light beam a is 4 for imaging a registration marking of light diftsing segments 66 (s 10 n exaggerated in Figure 15) inscribed on the gemstone's table A adjacent one Pf its borders. The gemstone specimen holder 49C includes a U-shaped memb 7 including a lower horizontal leg 68, an upright web 69, and an uppcr horizon g 71. The U-shaped member 67 is so dimensioned that on sliding insertion q W lower leg 68 into the naiddle pair of grooves 29, the upper leg 71 is disposed K the cover 33. The upper leg 71 is provided with a support 72 with an incti upper surface 73 with a qdindrical recess 74 for receiving a gemstone receil: msert 76 for mounting the gemstone 14 such That its table A is inclined reladi e the CCD camera's optical axis 13 at an included acute angle P. Ihe gem4c receiving insert 76 is rotatable about an axis of rotation R, and is provided wid,a ir recess 77 for receiving the gemstone 14 such fliat the gemstone's longituftal' T is coincides with the insert's a)ds of rotation P, The gernstone specimen hq,'IC' 6 49C is set up such that the CCD camera's optical axis 13 views a small fbo4xio of about I mm diameter located on the periphery of the gemstone's tab4,- whereupon the CCD camera 12 tracks a 1mm wide amular path 79 around t gemstone's table's periphety on rotation of the gemstone receiving insert 76. E light source 62 is set up such that its light beam axis 64 intersects the e - camerats optical axis 13 at the small footprint 78 whereby the perpendicular 7: 19 the gemstone's table A thereat coincides with the bisector 81 of the angle bea In La-L the CCD camera's optical wds 13 and the light source's light beam axis 634. LrEN arrangement, the gemstone's table A reflects the light beam 63 to &zzle the cam= 12 such that the registration marldmg 66 is discernible by virtue of its t t I diffusing segments when disposed at the intersection point of the CCD catnta' optical axis 13 and light source's light beam axis 64.

With reference now to Figure 16, a gemstone specimen holder 49D is similar to the gemstone specimen holder 49C except that its is employed for imaging a registcation marking inscribed on a gernstone's girdle C. In tb3,s case, the specimen gemstone holder 49C further includes a spring biased device 82 for 5 urging against the gemstone's table A.

With reference now to Figures 17A and 17B, a gemstone specimen holder 49E is provided for imaging silhouettes of the gemstone 14 for the purpose of a computer rendered three dimensional wire frame of the gemstone, and a computer rendered three dimensional representation of the gemstone 14 viewable in three JO dimensional viewing space. The gemstone specimen holder 49E is provided with a step motor 83 for rotating a spindle 84 whose axis of rotation 86 is perpendicular to the CCD cameWs optical axis 13. The spindle 84 terminates at a spindle end 87 extending into a throughgoing aperture $8, and to which a circular gemstone support member 89 can be replaceably attached. The gemstone support member holder 89 includes a reference marking 91 aii is employed together with a light diffiser 24A having a black spot 24B for reasons to be described hereinbelow. The gemstone specimen holder 49E is also provided with a calibraflon square 92 which fies on a plane 93 perpendicular to the CCD camera's optical a)ds 13 and co-plan with the axis of rotation 86.

The use of the system is now described for the offering for We of a single new gemstone in the Website and whose porffolio of images is to be displayed on a computerized viewing station and/or a computer terminal which displays visually continuously movable images of a gemstone in the form of a series of computer rendercd animated images -rather than streaming video images.

A seller of the gemstone scrutinizes the gemstone itself, and determines all the necessary information to be conveyed to a potential buyer including the locations of imperfections. The seller enters into the Website under a subscriber number, and enters specific details about a gemstone based on his appraisal, the details including inter alia: its dimensions, its cut, color, size in carats, fts clarity, its asking price per camt, and details of a certificate, if any.

The seller selects a suitable gemstone specimen holder and plac gemstone's cullet in the holder's cylindrical apertire whereupon the gemston held upright with its table uppem.ost. The seller slides the gemstone speo, holder ink) the support block, and adjusts its position such that the center pf gemstone's table is located at the center of the viewing station's screen. The adjusts the magnification of the CCD camera such that the image of the gemiti nearly occupies the full screen, and when. satisfied with the image, he operato 3 frame grabber to capture the image under a filename Table finage. The sell then mark the image with one or more A01s, for example, as shown in Fi guro The seller repeats the process for capturing near full. screen size still 04: images of the gemstones girdle saved under the Mename Girdle finagq gemstones pavilion saved under the filename Pavilion Image, and the gemp cullet saved under the filename Cullet Image.

The seller executes the following steps for obtaining a pa# complementary digital first and last sO images of the gemstone!s. table for displaying a visually continuously tiltable image thereof, and a vistu continuously precession-like movable image thereof. The seller invokes a Tit Table sub-routine which requires so-called f= and last images of a gemst table to be saved under the filenames, First Image and Last Image, respectiV] The seller pivots the gemstone specimen holder through an acute angle a range of about 21, to 811, relative to the CCD cameWs optical axis in a first s, and captures the so-called first image of ft gemstone's table under the filqa First Table Image. The seller then pivots the gemstone specimen holder thr: the same acute angle in an opposite sense relative to the CCD camera's optical D and captures the so-called last image of the gemstone's table under the file Last Table Image. The seller repeats these steps for obtaining a pa; complementary digital -first and last still images of the gernstore's pavilion s LN under the filenames First Pavilion Image and Last Pavilion Image for mj displaying a visually continuously tiltable image thereof.

The seller executes the following steps for obtaining a pair of complementary digital left and right images of the gemstone's table for use in displaying a stereoscopic image thereof The, seller invokes a Stereoscopic hmage sub-routine which requires so-called left andright images of a gemstone's table to be saved under the filenames Left Image and Right Image, respectively. The seller repeats the steps described hereinabove for capturing the so- called tiltable image of the gemstones table except that this time the first image of the gemstone's table is saved under the filename Left Image whilst the last image of the gemstone's table is saved under the filename Right Image. In this-manner, the two capaired images are 10. comparable to the images as seen by a user looking at a stationary object fast with one eye only, and then with the other eye only. Alternafively, the right image of the gemstone's table can be captured after the capuning of its left image by a rectilinear displacement of the gemstone specimen holder in the negative X-arction, and then the inMes are suitably manipulated in X and Y directions by way of a is dedicated graphic user interface (GUI) 94 for enabling a clear stereoscopic image tobe displayed (see Figure 18).

The seller executes the following steps for obtaining a three dimensional. -wire frame of the gemstone, and a series of images which are required for rendering a three dimensional representation of the gemstone.- The seller invokes a Three Dimensional Representation sub-routine which requires tem of bit map silhouettes of the gemstone, and five or more images of the gemstone from different lines of sight and which include all the different facets of the gemstone. ne, seller mounts the gemstone on the gemstone support member by a so-called "&y ad%esion" technique involving pressing the gemstone's table against the gemstone support member with sufficient pressure d= the gemstone is naturally adhesively auached to the, gemstone support member, The seller then mounts the gemstone support member on the spindle end with the reference marking in the 12 oclock position, and replaces the base's original light diffliser with the light diffbser having the large black spot for so-called bark illumination of the gemstone.

'Me seller then actuates the motor for rotating the gernstone wh=upon preferably silhouettes are taken at 40 intervals such that most of the gemstone's vert+ captured in the silhouettes (see Figure 19A). The sub-routine then processes:: b maps using curve fitting techniques, and the like to determine the locations o 0 the, gemAones vertices in tbree dimensional object space to construct a:

dimeasional wire fxame 95 of the gemstone from its both detected and cal. vertices (see Figure 19B). Ihe three dimensional wire &ame can be manipul e three dimensional viewing space by means of a suitable control device, computer mouse, and also has an indication corresponding to the refe, e marking. The seller then images the calibration square without altering the it of the system sucb. that the sub-routine can then calculate the: external I:iim i of the gernstone, and the relative proportions Of its different surfaces. To g the three dimensional rqmentation of the gemstone, ft seller irnage irnage! gemstone from different lines of sight and then superimposes the three dimensi wire frame such that each of the gemstone's facets is correctly superimposed corresponding facets as they appear on the images (see Figure 19B). After such supenmposition, the sub-routine builds up a table of bit map informati0iI f textures for each gemstone f keet.

The potential buyers of gemstones search the inventory of gernstonO, sale at the Website in a similar manner as described hereinabove vAth resPect t P 'ever rather than a potential already commercially active Websites. How being presented with a were list of gemstones which meet his search Parm this case, he is presented with a graphic user interface (GUI) 96 shwing a n full screen size floating lifelike still color image of a gemstone's table of One Of, gemsWnes which met bis search pammeters which is downloaded from the, (see Figure 21). In addition, the GLTI 96 has a sidebar 97 with relevant the gemstone including dimensi8n, cut, color, clarity, price, quantity, W, certificate, and seller details.

The GUI 96 also has icons for displaying additional images of the geing which are also downloaded ftm the Website as follows: An icon 98 for displa the still image of ft girdle saved under the filename Girdle Image. An icon 99 -21displaying the still image, of its cullet saved under the filename Cullet Image. An icon 101 for displaying a still image of its pavilion saved under the fdenaine Pavilion Image. An icon 102 for displaying a stereoscopic image of its table saved under the filenames Left c and Rigbt Image. An icon 103 for displaying a visually continuously tiltable image of its table employing the images saved under the ffienames First Table Image and LW Table Image where the iinage is in the forin of a series of computer rendered animated still images 1(n) each constructed according to the relationship: 1(n) = pl(fitst) + (1 -p) 10ast) where 0:5 p:5 1, 1(first) is the image stored under the filename First Table Dune, and fflast) is the image stored under the filename Last Table Image. An icon 104 for displaying a visually continuously tiltable image of its pavilion employing the 1mages saved under the Blenames First Pavilion Image and Last Pavilion linage m a sumlar m=er to displaying a visually continuously tiltable. image of its table. An icon 106 for displaying a visually continuously rotatable irine Rrot) of its table by manipulating the image- saved under the filename Table Image in accordance with the relationship:

1(rot) wherepixel coordia"(D:

lj(rot) = 1 $in 0 + j cos 0 from a continuously changing line of sight directed toward the gemstone (see Fig= 20). An iron 107 for displaying a visually continuously movable rotatable image of its pavilion by manipulating the image saved under the filename Pavilion Image in a similar manner for displaying a visually continuously rotatable, image of its table. An icon 108 for displaying a visually continuously precession-like movable image Iffl of its table in accordance with a continuously changing Hue Of sight dire toward the gemstone by manipulating the imnes, Iffirst) and 10ast) as follows J(z) =pj[rot(ftist)] + (1-p)l[rot(lgist)j where 0 t p:! 1, and Iffirst) and joast) are the first and last still images of the gemstone's surface with the gemstone's loninaJ axis defining a first direction during the capture. of the first 22- image and a last direction during the capture of the last image such that the: o directions define a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle cc; and 1(rot) where pixel coordinates ( J) fi!rot) = i cos 0 - i sin 9 J( J(rot) = i sin 9 + j cos 0 1 An icon 109 for displaying zoom images of one or more of the gemstc& imperfections as sbown by Areas of Interest introduced by the gemstones 50"o one or more of the still images of its table, girdle, cullet, and pavilion. An icon:l for displaying a three dimensional representation of the gemstone viewable in t( dimensional viewing space where each of the representation's facets is texture accordance with a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone, I accordance with the relationship: F(i)-'Zp0)FQj) where Zpo)2--l for j=i tO I i:

different textures of the same facet F(i) each taken from a different line of si:' and pG) are directional cosines of the line of sight in a predefined Cartes 1 coordinate system.

Finally, the GUI can also include an icon 112 for displaying a Qql Certificate 113 (see Figure 22) of the gemstone issued by an internationo%, recognized body, the Gem Certificate including an Issue Number, date of issiq,' details regarding shape, cut weight, proportions/measurement, clatit, fluorescence, color and comments. La addition, the Gem Cerdficate 113 inclu;[c one or more of the Welike color images of the gemstone's major surfaces, Le. it table, girdle, cullet and pavilion, together with AOIs 114 delimiting boundar,%; around its imperfecfions. Alternativcly, the images can be replaced by wire fr a ! 1 representations of the gemstone whilst the AM can be replaced by arrows IR,, and the like for graphically indicating the location of an imperfection. On the b41 of a gemstone's portfolio of digital lifelike, color images, together with its Q,,t k Certificate if available, a trained professional has all the necessary information It substantiate the details provided by the seller in respect of a gemstone that he contemplating to purchase, and also evaluate its market worth without having' t physically scrutinize the gemstone itself

Claims

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of

embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention can be made widlin the scope of the appended Claims. For example, the digital acquisition device can be provided with zooming capabilities for mapffijing a gemstone. whilst a Gem Certificate for a particular gemstone can be distributed in hard copy to potential buyers in a c6nventional manner. In addition, the method for displaying a visually continuously movable image at a computer terminal can be equally applied to any object, as can the method for obtaining a pair of complementary digital left and io right images of an object for displaying a stereoscopic image thereof.

CIAMS:

A A system for trading in gemstones, each gemstone having a flat defming a longitudinal axis perpendicular thereto, a girdle, a pavilion, and a cii I the system comprising a pluraUty of user terminals for captuning digital UO i color images of a gemstone, each user terminal capable of generating the s.r standard portfolio of digital lifelike color images of a particular gemstone if enabling a potential buyer to independently evaluate its market value in accordaoap With interriationally recognized standards.
2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein a gemstone's portfolio include3l e I o least one element of the group consisting of:

a floating stiU image of its table; a floating still image of its pavilion, a floating still image of its girdle; a floating stW image of its cullet; a pair of complementary left and right still images of a gemstone's suc for enabling the display of a stereoscopic image thercof; a movable image of one of gemstone's surfaces; a three dftnensional representation of a gemstone viewable in,,:,i dimensional viewing space; an image of its registration marking; details of the sizes and relative proportions of a gemstone's surfaces; a Gern Certificate;
3. A system according to Claim 1, wherein at least one image includes: Area of Interest indicating the presence of an imperfection discernible therel and/or a color chart.
4. A system according to Claim 2, wherein said movable image is; a tiltable, image wbere eacb. computer rendered aziimated still image I(n) is constructed according to the relationship I(.u) = pl(fmt) + (I #(Jast) where 0 < p,-
5 1, and J(first) and I(Iast) are the first and last stiff images of the gemstone's surface with the gemstone's longitudinal axis definiug a flyst direction dutipg the capture of the fmt image and a last direction during the capture of the last hage such that the two directions define a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle cc; or - a rotatable image where each computer rendered animated image I(rot) is constructed according to the relationship:

I(rot) where pixel coordlna-es(ij) ji(rot) = i cos 0 - isin 0; or [j(rOt)=isin&+jcOsO a precession-like movable image where each computer rendered animated image 1(7,) is constructed according to the relationship: I(z) = pI[rot(first)] + (I-p)I(rot(last)] Where 0:5 p:g 1, I(first) and I(Iast) are the first and last still images of the gemstone's surface Yvith the gerw4one's longitudinal axis defining a first direction during the capture of the first image and a last direction during the capture of the last image such that the two directions define a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle cr, and Ar(rot) where pixel coor&nates (i, P i(rot)=icosO-jsirL6 J(rot) = i sin 0 + i cos 8 S. A system according to Claim 2, wherein said three dimensional 20 representation has facets each textured in accordance with a particular line of sight directed toward the gemstone in accordance with the relationship: F(i)--ZAR(ij) where ypa--l forj=1 to n different textures of the same facet F(i) each taken from a different line of sight, and where pO) are directional cosines of the line of sigbt in a predefined Cartesian coordinate systern.

2.5
6. A system according to Claim 2, wherein said Gern Cer0cate comprises at least one representation of the gemstone in which an imperfection of the gemstone is discemible, and whose location on at least one of said at least one represt is graphically indicated thereon.
7. A system according to Claim 1, Rather comprising at least one data stoi device for storing said portfolios of digital lifelike color images.
8. A data storage device storing a plurality of portfolios of digital, li, I: e, color images of geMstones for sale for use in the system of trading in gem (Pe m according to any one of Claims I to 7.
9. A method of trading in gemstones based on the SYStem of anY One Of C I to 7 and on the data storage device of Claim. 8, enabling one or more pot':, al io buyers of gemstones to remotely access the data storage device whereupon' h potential buyer can. peruse through the portfolio of images of a gemstone wbi: e is contemplating to purcbase.
10. A user terminal for captaring images of a genistone, the user terrl comprising:

a) a b=; b) a support block mounted on said base, and suppordn:, Jjghttransmissive gemstone bearing member holdigg a gemstone i a central portion of said support block, said support block sub shielding the gemstoce from ambient light without compl excluding ambient light from said central portion and inclu illumination arrangement for illuminating the gemstone 0 opposing orthogonal directions in a substantially balanced said directions including a first axial direction for illuminating a major surface of said gemstone bearing member, a second 25 direction for illuminating a second major surface of said g bearing member opposite to said first major surface, and a direction for radially illuminating said central portion; and 1 c) a digital image acquisition device with an optical wds, and beffig inounted on said base for capturing an image of the illuminated gemstone through an aperture formed in said support block facing said first major surface of said gernstone bearing member.
11. A user terminal according to Claim 10, wherein said support block has an open-ended box-like shape with, a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of opposing substantially parallel walls.
12. A user terminal according to either CWm 10 or 11, wherein said support block has the following internal dimensions, length 6ti=15% cm, width SJ=15% cm, and height SL-15% em
13. A user terminal according to any one of Claiins 10 to 12, wherein said illumination arrangement includes at least one annular diffwed white light source for illuminating in at least one ofsaid first and second wdal directions.
14. A user terminal according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein said Olumination arrangement includes light reflective portions for reflecting Ugbt radially towards said central portion.
15. A user terminal according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein said gemstone bearing member includes a carriage with an outer frame for being slidably received in a pair of opposite grooves, and a pair of support members pivotably mounted on said outer fl for assuming a first position substwdafly flush with said outer frame and a second position subtending an acute angle relative to said outer Rame.
16. A user terminal according to Claim 15, wherein said outer frame includes a pair of opposite support members, at least one of said support members having a 1,ongitudffially ext=ding slit for frictionally precluding free uncontrolled moverneat of said carriage in a pair of grooves.

J
17. A user torminal according to any one of claims 10 to 15, where;ai 1 - gwWone bearing member comprises a flat, light-transmissive, glass e gemstone SPecmen 1101(10r with at least One tbroughgomg aperture for r" b receiving a portion of a gemstone's body for mounting th e gemstono [t prodetermined position.
Is. A user tern-dnal according to claim 17, wherein said ape"e has the l: c P of a cylinder or the sbape of a canoe.
19. A user terminal according to anY one of Claims 10 to 18, wherein g id gemstone bearing member comprises a flat, light-trm2&nissive glass sli io gcrnstone specimen holder with a rotatably mounted member for sg!ullnppo gemstone, which may include a gear spur arrangement for rotating said ro mounted rnember.
20. A user terminal according to any me of C jo to 14, finther con-xp4 j 8 a gemstone specimen holder with a rotatable gemstone speci -Men holder flor ro; g Is a gemstone with its girdle facing said digital image acquisition device.
21. A user tenninal acc4xding to Claim 20, wherein said gemstone spec.

cc holder includes a calibration square lying in a plane perpendicular to said 0 axis and co-planar with an axis of rotation of said rotatable gemstone spec' holder.
22. A user te according to either Claim 20 or 21, wherein said gems e specimen holder is replaceable.
23. A user terminal according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, comprising:

(d) a light source buying a light beam with a light be= axis interse said optical xeis at an intersection point, and defining a bise t r therebetween; and (e) a gone supporting member for supporting a gernstone such that said bisector coincides with the perpendicular of the portion of its surface; and being selectively displaceable relative to said intmection point whereby the ge=tone"r, surface is capable of being scanned along a predetermined scanning path for enabling the detection of the location of a gemstone's registradon. maffing.
24. A user terminal according to Claim 23, wherein said gemstone supporting member is slidingly supported in said support blo&
25. A user tm according to either one of Claims 23 or 24, wherein said gemstone supporting member includes a roly mounted gemstone receiving insert for mounting the gemstone.
26. A user terminal according to Claim 25, wherein said gemstone receiving insert is replaceable.
27. A user terniffial according to any one of Claims 23 to 26, ftnther comprising an urging member for securing agemstone in said gemstone support member.
28. A gemstone examination device for enabling the detection of the location of a gemstone's registration marking, the registration marldng including a series of light diffising segments located on a flat polished surface of the gemstone defining a longitudinal a?ds perpendicular thereto, the gemstone examination, device Comprising.

(a) a light source having a ligbt be= with a light beam a)ds; (b) a magnifying optical cc having an optical a);!s intersecting said light beam axis at an intersection poin and deffling a bisector therebetween; and (c) a gemstone supporting member for supporting a gne such that said bisector coincides with the perpendicular of the portion of the, gemtone's surface located at said intersection point, and being selectively displaceable relative to said intersection poitit wjjere gemstone's surface is capable of being scanned along a predeten scanningpath.
29. A gemstone examination device according to Claim 28, wherein gemstone supporting member includes a rotatably mounted gmstoue recej, insert for mounting the gemstone.
30. A gemstone examiuation. device according to either Claim 28 or 29, whe said gemstone receiving insert is replaceable.
31. A gemstone examination device according to any one of Clairm. 28 to I I i farther comprising an urging member for securing a gemstone in said gemst support member.
32. A gem certificate for a gemstone, the gem certificate. comprising at least representation of the gemstone in wbich an imperfection of the gemstont discenuible, and whose location on at least one of said at least one representatia i is gmphically indicated thereom
33. A gem certificate according to Claim 32, wherein said at least X representation includes at least one element flom. the group consisting of:

a digital lifelike color image of the gemstone; a wire frame representation of the ge=tone; an Area of Interest delimiting a boundary around an imperfection.
34. A method for displaying a visually continuously movable image of' gemstone's surface at a computer terminal remote from a database, the md comprising the steps of:

(a) downloading bit map information regarding a gemstone fi-orn t4i database to the computer terndnal; (b) generating from the bit map information at the computer terminal an on-the-fly computer rendered animated still image of th.e gemstone ftm a pardcular line of sight directed toward the gone; and (c) refresbing the computer rendered acd still image of the genistone from different lines of sight directed toward the gemstones as indicated by a potential buyer of the gemstone at his computer terminal thereby displaying a series of computer generated animated still images of the gemstone perceived as a visibly continuously movable image by the potential buyer.
35. A method for displaying a movable image of a gemstonds sffice according to Claim 34, wherein said movable image is:

a tiltable image where each computer rendered aed still image 1(n) is constructed according to the relationship, l(n) = pI(first) + (1 -p) Wast) where 0 -< p < 1, and Iffirst) and I(Iast) are the first and last still images of the g=twe's surface with the gcmtoia&s longitudinal wds defining a first direction during the capture of the first image and a last on during the capture of the last image mch that the two directions define a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle a; or - a rotatable image where each computer rendered animated IMAge ICOO is constructed according tx) the relationship:

i(rot) = icose - isine I(rot) where pixel coordinates 0, j) {j(rot) = i $in 0 + 1 cos 0 or - a precession-like movable image where each computer rendered animated image 1(z) is constructed according to the relationship: Iffi = pI[rot(fint)l + (1 -p)l[rot(last)] where 0 _< p:5 1, I(fwft) and fflast) are the first and last still images of the gemstone's surface with the gemstone's Imgitudinal axis defining a first 24 direction during the capture of the first image and a last dh=don during the capture of the last image such that the two directions defme a plane therebetween and intersect at an acute angle cc, and i(rot) = i cos 0 - j sin 0 a visuany continuous inovable image of a tbree dimensional represen: of a gtone viewable in three dimensional -viewing space where each o. representation's facets is textured in accordance with a particular line of i directed toward the gne in accordance with the relationshiP. F(i)EPG 0 where ypG)2= 1 for j= 1 ton different textac$ of the same facet FQ) each taken k, a a different line of sight, and PG) ate direO6Ollal cOsincs Of 031 Hne of SW1t'; predefined Carteslan coordinate SYSCM.
36. A method for obtg a StcrOOSCOPic image Of a gmstOnc's table, 0 method comprising the st" of' (a) mounting the gewtone in the field of view of a digital im4 acquisition device; (b) acquifing a left c of the gemstone; 1 (C,) displacing tile gone spe=en holder relative to the 1 is acquisitioll device's field of view; and (d) acquiriug a right iinage of the
37. A method according to Claim 36, wherein step (r.) includes:

translafing the gernstone by a cc substantiallY COrrcsPOndiug to separation between the eye-p! of a binocular MicroSCOPC, Or translating and rotating the gone so that the gemstonds longitud ayis defines two intersecting directions in the X& extreme positions.