JP2011043472A - Discrimination method of jewel material, and discrimination certificate of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a discrimination method or the like of a jewel material capable of securing identity of an inclusion in both working processes, when performing imaging and identification of the inclusion included in the jewel material, and thereby heightening reliability of a discrimination result of the inclusion and the jewel material including it. <P>SOLUTION: The jewel material is installed on an optical axis irradiated with laser light as probe light for qualitative analysis, and while irradiating the jewel material with visible light from the side direction to the optical axis so that the visible light is transmitted through the jewel material, the jewel material is observed microscopically. Then, a laser irradiation optical system and a microscopic observation optical system are focused on the inclusion, and an image of the inclusion is imaged on the focusing position, and the kind of the inclusion is specified by performing measurement of a Raman spectrum of the inclusion or the like on the same focusing position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for discriminating gem materials such as diamond, and a discrimination document thereof.

  Conventionally, as a method of evaluating and distinguishing (appraising) the quality of gemstone materials such as natural diamond, the cut shape, cut grade (grade), dimensions, weight, color grade, clarity grade, etc. of the gem material that is the subject of discrimination, It is performed by measuring with a dimension measuring device or a spectroscopic analyzer, and publishing those measurements and analysis results in an identification book (grating report) together with an image of a gem substance that is a discrimination target. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an example of a diamond grating report.

JP 2003-42964 A

  By the way, there are naturally occurring (originating) materials, synthetic products, artificial products, imitations, etc., among these gem materials, especially those of natural origin, Many of them contain fine inclusions called inclusions that are different from the main minerals (matrix substances), and the types (mineral species), shapes, and colors of such inclusions vary widely. It is. The presence of such inclusions not only indicates that the gem material is of natural origin, but the nature of the inclusion itself is specific (specific) to the individual gem material, It also shows precious information such as the environment and production area where the is formed. Therefore, in addition to the general measurement and analysis results (discrimination results) of gem materials as described above, the inclusions contained in the gem materials are magnified and imaged, and the images are posted in the discrimination report (grating report). In addition, attempts are being made to identify the type of such inclusions contained in gem materials.

  However, imaging of inclusions contained in gem materials and analysis for identifying them tend to be carried out as different work processes, in other words, imaging inclusions and analyzed inclusions. There may be doubts about identity. In this regard, in general, if the quantity of inclusions contained in a gem material is small, or if the shape, properties, etc. are specific and easily distinguishable from other inclusions, the gem substance is identified. From the viewpoint of a technician, it cannot be said that there are many cases where a target inclusion can be uniquely specified without being confused with other inclusions.

  However, as described above, when performing imaging and identification of inclusions contained in a gem material in different work processes, for example, after identifying the inclusions contained in a gem material with an analyzer and performing its identification analysis, When the gem substance is temporarily taken out from the work stage (work platform) of the analyzer and transferred to the work stage of a different device (device that captures an enlarged image of the inclusion), the inclusion is imaged. It cannot be denied that an inclusion is different from the inclusion that was the analysis target.

  That is, the inclusions contained in the jewel material often have extremely small shapes (for example, external dimensions on the order of several μm to several hundred μm), and it is difficult to confirm with the naked eye. Therefore, in both the analyzer and the imaging device, it is necessary to specify the inclusion by microscopically observing the gem substance, for example, marking the inclusion to be analyzed by the analyzer. Since it is impossible to do so, when the gem material once removed from the analyzer is enlarged and observed with an imaging device, it is possible to mistakenly specify different inclusions with similar shapes and properties and to image them It is hard to say that there is no sex at all.

  In this way, depending on the situation, if the captured inclusions differ from the analyzed inclusions, that is, if the identity of the two is not guaranteed (guaranteed) reliably, the identification report (grating report) will have an image Will result in the identification result based on the analysis of another inclusion that is different from the inclusion included, so the reliability of the identification result of the inclusion, as well as the result of the identification of the gem substance and the identification document itself Reliability may be impaired.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, in the case of imaging and identification of inclusions (inclusions) included in a gem substance, it is possible to ensure the identity of the inclusions in both work processes, Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the reliability of the discrimination result of the inclusion and the gem substance containing it from being impaired, in other words, the gem that can sufficiently increase the reliability of the discrimination result of the gem substance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying a substance, and a highly reliable identification document for a gem substance prepared based on such a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a method for identifying a gem material according to the present invention is a method for identifying an inclusion contained in a gem material by qualitative analysis and capturing an image of the inclusion, (A) An installation step of installing a gem material on the optical axis to which the probe light for qualitative analysis is irradiated; and (B) the visible light from the side with respect to the optical axis so that the visible light passes through the gem material. For observing a gem material while irradiating (projecting) on it, irradiating probe light to the inclusions contained in the gem material, and microscopic observation of the inclusions contained in the gem material A focusing step for focusing (focusing) the optical system, (C) an imaging step for capturing an image of the inclusion at a focusing position of the inclusion, and (D) a focusing position of the inclusion. Irradiate probe light to the inclusion at the same in-focus position , With measures the light reflected and / or scattered by the inclusions, and an identification step which, based on the measurement result, to identify the type of inclusions.

  In this case, the imaging process and the identification process may be performed simultaneously as long as the gem substance is not moved from the focus position on the inclusion, and may be performed separately at some time interval. Preferably, it is preferable to carry out continuously at the in-focus position. Note that either the imaging step or the identification step may be performed first.

  In the method thus configured, first, a gem substance is placed on the optical axis on which the probe light for qualitative analysis is irradiated in the installation step, and then in the focusing step, on the side of the optical axis of the probe light. From the side, the microscopic observation is performed while irradiating (shining) visible light on the gem substance. At this time, it is possible to visually recognize the inclusion by focusing the optical system for irradiating the inclusion contained in the gem substance with the probe light and the optical system for performing microscopic observation of the inner inclusion. At the same time, preparation for irradiating the inclusion with the probe light is performed.

  Then, an image of the inclusion is captured at the in-focus position by performing an imaging process. Then, the gem substance is not moved from the in-focus position, that is, by performing the identification process at the same in-focus position where the inclusion is imaged, the probe is irradiated with the probe light. The light reflected and / or scattered by the inclusion is measured, and the type of inclusion to be imaged is identified based on the measurement result.

  Alternatively, as described above, the identification process is performed prior to the imaging process, and the probe light is irradiated to the inclusion of the gem material at the in-focus position, and the light reflected and / or scattered from the inclusion is measured. Based on the result, the type of the inclusion may be identified first, and the image of the inclusion may be captured by continuously executing the imaging process without moving the gem substance from the focused position. Furthermore, the imaging process and the identification process may be performed at the same time, and the inclusions may be imaged and their types identified at a time.

  In addition, the jewelry material identification book according to the present invention is effectively created by using the gem material identification method of the present invention, and the image of the inclusion imaged in the imaging step in the above-described gem material identification method. And the type of inclusion (identification result) identified in the identification step described above.

  According to the method for identifying a gem material of the present invention, the inclusion of the gem material is focused on an optical system for irradiating probe light and an optical system for performing microscopic observation, and at the in-focus position, Since the inclusions are identified and imaged, the identity of the inclusions can be ensured in both work processes, ensuring that the reliability of the discrimination results between the inclusions and the gem material containing them is compromised. It becomes possible to prevent. Moreover, since the identification book of the jewelry substance by this invention is produced based on this differentiation method of the jewelry substance by this invention, it can improve the reliability of the matter described in the discrimination book.

It is process drawing (flow diagram) which shows an example of the procedure which discriminate | determines a jewelry substance by suitable one Embodiment which concerns on the identification method of the jewelry substance by this invention. It is a side view (partial cross section figure) which shows an example of the state which is discriminating the jewelry substance by the discrimination method of embodiment shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows typically an example of the subreport which comprises a part of discrimination book in which the evaluation information of the inclusion was described.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, the positional relationship such as up, down, left and right is based on the positional relationship shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention only to the embodiments. Further, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a process diagram (flow diagram) showing an example of a procedure for identifying a gem material according to a preferred embodiment of the method for identifying a gem material according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a gem material according to the discrimination method. It is a side view (partial sectional view) showing an example of the state which is discriminating.

  In the method for identifying a gem material according to the present embodiment, first, polishing of a gem material D to be measured, such as a brilliant cut, a step cut, and a mix cut, is performed on the holder 11 of the sample stage of the microscopic laser Raman spectrometer 1. The treated natural diamond is installed (set) as shown in FIG. 2 (step S1: installation step in FIG. 1).

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the holder 11 has an opening H having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter (diameter of the boundary between the crown 21 and the pavilion 22) of the diamond for jewels that is brilliantly cut as the gem material D. The jewel material D is fitted into the opening H so that the table surface 23 of the jewel material D faces upward in the drawing and the curette 24 of the jewel material D faces downward in the drawing, and the state Is retained. That is, the jewelry substance D is supported by the holder 11 in a state where the side wall of the cut surface (facet surface) of the pavilion 22 is in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening H of the holder 11.

  Here, the model and configuration of the microscopic laser Raman spectroscopic measurement apparatus 1 include a microscopic observation optical system K (optical system for performing microscopic observation), an imaging system S, and a laser irradiation optical system L (probe for qualitative analysis). Optical system for irradiating laser light as light) and Raman spectroscopy system B are not particularly limited, and more specifically, for example, microscopic laser Raman spectroscopy manufactured by Renishaw Co., Ltd. Measuring device inVia Raman microscope etc. are mentioned.

  The microscopic observation optical system K is for microscopic observation of the gem substance D installed in the holder 11 of the sample stage, and has an objective lens 12 provided at a position facing the opening H of the holder 11. . In addition, the imaging system S is optically coupled to a subsequent stage of the objective lens 12 in the microscopic observation optical system K, whereby an enlarged image of a part of the gem substance D observed through the objective lens 12 is obtained. It is for imaging. Examples of the imaging device of the imaging system S include a CCD in which a predetermined number of elements are arranged in a two-dimensional array.

  The laser irradiation optical system L is for emitting laser light as probe light for qualitative analysis having a predetermined wavelength (for example, wavelength 514 nm in the case of Ar laser) toward the gem substance D, In FIG. 2, laser light can be irradiated along an optical axis A (optical axis of probe light) schematically and schematically indicated by a one-dot chain line and toward the opening H of the holder 11. In other words, the jewelry substance D is installed and held in the holder 11 so as to be positioned on the optical axis A of the laser beam that is the probe light. Note that the laser irradiation optical system L may or may not be configured so that the optical axis A passes through the objective lens 12 of the microscopic observation optical system K. Further, the Raman spectroscopic system B is for detecting Raman scattered light (component) by the inclusion of the laser light irradiated on the inclusion of the gem material D, and the shift of the Raman scattered light with respect to the irradiated laser light. It has a function of scanning the wavelength and measuring the light intensity (Raman spectrum) with respect to the Raman shift wavelength, that is, Raman spectroscopic measurement (Raman spectrometry).

  Further, in the present embodiment, separately from the microscopic laser Raman spectroscopic measurement device 1, visible light V indicated by an arrow shown from the side of the cut surface of the crown 21 and the pavilion 22 of the gem material D toward the gem material D. Visible light sources V1 and V2 are used for irradiating. The visible light sources V1 and V2 may be configured so that the visible light V is configured to be incident from the side walls of the cut surfaces of the crown 21 and the pavilion 22 in the gem material D and to pass through the gem material D. A general light bulb, or a visible light laser and its waveguide system (optical components such as an optical fiber) can also be used. In addition, it is not always necessary to use both of the visible light sources V1 and V2, and only one of them may be used, and in the microscopic observation, it is easy to visually recognize the target inclusion E to be identified included in the gem substance D. The configuration can be appropriately selected.

  Next, the visible light sources V1 and V2 are turned on, the visible light V is irradiated to the gem material D installed in the holder 11 as described above, and the inside of the gem material D is microscopically observed (step S2). At this time, the inclusion E is adjusted while adjusting the irradiation direction of the visible light V from the visible light sources V1 and V2 so that the magnified image of the inclusion E contained in the gem substance D can be observed by the microscopic observation optical system K. The microscopic observation optical system K is focused on (focused). Further, when the microscopic observation optical system K is focused on the inclusion E, the microscopic laser Raman spectroscopic measurement apparatus 1 is configured so that the laser irradiation optical system L is focused on the inclusion E at the same time. Thus, the focal point of the laser irradiation optical system L can also be focused on the inclusion E (step S3). In this way, the focusing process is composed of steps S2 and S3.

  Next, the inclusion E is irradiated with laser light from the laser irradiation optical system L in a state where the gem substance D is held at the in-focus position, and Raman spectroscopy measurement is performed on the inclusion E. And by comparing and collating the measurement results of the obtained Raman spectrum with various Raman spectra for known minerals whose composition and components are known in advance (reference library and database can be used), The inclusion E is identified (step S4: identification step). In addition, at the same time as the identification process or before and after the identification process, an enlarged image of the inclusion E is captured by the imaging system S (step S4: imaging process).

  Note that an enlarged image of the inclusion E in the jewel material D observed by the microscopic observation optical system K can be visually recognized by an eyepiece lens (not shown) arranged at the subsequent stage of the objective lens 12 or imaging. Image information from the imaging device of the system S may be sent to a computer or the like via an interface and displayed on a monitor (none of which is shown) connected thereto. In this case, the imaging system S also serves as part of the microscopic observation optical system K, and the imaging process is also performed by capturing an enlarged image of the inclusion E projected through the imaging system S with the imaging system S. can do.

  The captured image of the inclusion E obtained in this way, the Raman spectrum of the inclusion E obtained in the identification step, and the type of the inclusion E as the identification result are both electronic data via an appropriate interface. In this embodiment, the captured image of the inclusion E and the type of the identified inclusion E are part of the identification items of the gem substance D. In the identification book (step S5). FIG. 3 is a schematic view schematically showing an example of a subreport constituting a part of a discrimination book (grating report) in which evaluation information of such inclusions E is described. In this subreport 3, the enlarged captured image 31 and the type 32 of the inclusion E contained in the gem substance D to be identified are written side by side on the same sheet.

  According to the method for identifying a gem material configured as described above, the laser irradiation optical system L and the microscopic observation optical system K are focused on the inclusion E included in the gem material D, and the inclusion is contained at the focused position. Since the object E is identified and imaged, the identity of the inclusion E can be ensured in both work processes. In other words, the imaged inclusion E can be reliably associated with the identified inclusion E. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent reliably that the reliability of the discrimination result of the inclusion E and the jewelry substance D containing it is impaired. In addition, since the evaluation information of the inclusion E obtained in this way is published in the subreport 3, it is possible to improve the reliability of the matters described in the differentiation document created including the subreport 3 it can.

  Furthermore, since the identification and imaging of the inclusion E are performed continuously or simultaneously by the microscopic laser Raman spectrometer 1 without moving the gem substance D at the same in-focus position, it is possible to reduce the labor of the work. This can shorten the time required for discrimination and improve workability.

  Furthermore, when the inclusion E is imaged and identified by the microscopic laser Raman spectrometer 1, visible light V is applied to the gem material D from the side of the cut surface of the crown 21 and the pavilion 22 of the gem material D. Therefore, compared to the case of irradiating visible light from the table surface 23 side of the crown 21 of the jewelry substance D or the cullet 24 side of the pavilion 22 of the jewelry substance D, the interior of the jewelry substance D is made. An enlarged image of the existing inclusion E can be captured more clearly. In particular, in the case of a gem material D having a cut shape as shown in FIG. 2, when visible light V is irradiated from a direction other than the side of the gem material D, the visible light is totally reflected or totally reflected on the cut surface (facet surface). Therefore, irradiating visible light V from the side of the jewel material D so as to pass through the interior of the jewel material D is extremely useful for imaging the inclusion E.

  In addition, as above-mentioned, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the limit which does not change the summary. For example, the gem substance D is not limited to a polished one, and is not limited to natural diamond. In addition, the inclusion E is not limited to a granular mineral crystal as shown in FIG. 2, and may be a linear so-called silk, or a layer structure in which different mineral compositions form a layer structure. Furthermore, as a qualitative analysis method used for identifying the inclusion E, other spectroscopic methods such as fluorescence spectroscopic measurement may be used as appropriate in addition to Raman spectroscopic measurement.

  As described above, according to the method for identifying a gem substance and the identification book for a gem substance according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the identity of the inclusion in imaging and identification of the inclusion contained in the gem substance. Since the workability at that time can also be improved, it is widely used in the field of identification (appraisal) of various gem materials including inclusions, and preparation of identification documents for reporting and proving the results. Can be applied and used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Microscopic laser Raman spectroscopic measurement apparatus, 3 ... Subreport, 11 ... Holder, 12 ... Objective lens, 21 ... Crown, 22 ... Pavilion, 23 ... Table surface, 24 ... Curette, 31 ... Enlarged image of inclusion E 32 ... Kind of inclusion E, A ... Optical axis (optical axis of laser light as probe light), B ... Raman spectroscopic system, D ... Gem substance, E ... Inclusion, H ... Opening, K ... Microscopic observation optics System, L ... laser irradiation optical system, S ... imaging system, S1-S4 ... step, V ... visible light, V1, V2 ... visible light source.

Claims (3)

A method for identifying a gem material by identifying an inclusion contained in a gem material by qualitative analysis and capturing an image of the inclusion,
An installation step of installing the gem substance on an optical axis irradiated with the probe light for qualitative analysis;
The gem material is microscopically observed while irradiating the gem material from the side with respect to the optical axis so that visible light is transmitted through the gem material, and the inclusion contained in the gem material includes the A focusing step of focusing an optical system for irradiating the probe light, and an optical system for performing microscopic observation of the inclusions included in the gem material;
An imaging step of capturing an image of the inclusion at the in-focus position of the inclusion;
At the same focusing position as the in-focus position, the inner light is irradiated with the probe light, the light reflected and / or scattered by the inner object is measured, and based on the measurement result, An identification step for identifying the type of inclusion;
For identifying gem materials containing The imaging step and the identification step are continuously performed at the in-focus position.
The method for identifying a gem substance according to claim 1. The image of the inclusion imaged in the imaging step in the method for identifying a gem substance according to claim 1 or 2, and
The type of inclusions identified in the identification step in the method for identifying a gem substance;
Identification book for gem materials including

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