This eliminates the lateral shift problems encountered as one adjusts the microscope stage in systems with angled optical paths. The Wild M400 has a single optical path that is perpendicular to the stage. The Nikon SMZ10 has the ability to capture stereo pairs for three-dimensional (3D) viewing by moving a selector switch that changes the optical path projected to the trinocular port. Both instruments have excellent optics but offer their own unique features.
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Two recommended models no longer in production, but often available from online resellers, are the Wild Heerbrugg M400 series photomacroscopes and the Nikon SMZ10 trinocular head microscope (figure 2). New microscopes with high-quality optics will cost several times that. As Internet commerce has evolved, it has become quite easy to purchase a high-quality used microscope for a reasonable price however, this cost will still be in the range of a few thousand dollars for a good used microscope in working order. It is usually better to purchase a used high-quality microscope with excellent optics than a new microscope with merely adequate optics. For the best results, photomicrographers should acquire the best optics possible within their budget.
There are many limiting factors in photomicrography, one of which is the quality of the optics between the subject and the camera. However, a binocular microscope with a live display to a video monitor may also provide sufficient results, even if it is not as easy to use. The most practical photomicrography system begins with a trinocular microscope to allow traditional observation and image capture simultaneously. This article covers the basics of gemological photomicrography, from equipment configurations to lighting conditions and image processing software, which will assist aspiring photomicrographers in merging science and art (figure 1). Digital photography also allows for instantly viewing captured images and in making post-processing adjustments that gives the photographer the ability to compensate for sub-par lighting conditions and make post-capture corrections. Digital camera technology has developed to the point that image quality rivals that of film, and the photomicrographer no longer incurs the cost of developing film just to see the resultant image. As predicted by Koivula (2003), the limitations of film have essentially been eliminated by the digital age.
The downside to this method is the expense of developing and the delay in seeing the resultant image. This was previously accomplished using film, often with tremendous results due to the superb color rendition and high resolution that film could offer. All one has to do is attach a camera in the optical path of a microscope to take advantage of the beautiful micro-world of gems. Photomicrographs do not only serve as educational and research references many are aesthetically pleasing and can be viewed as examples of natural art, and have even been used as a marketing tool for gem materials (Koivula et al., 1994). These images often represent subjects ranging in size from less than 1 mm to 1–2 cm. Photomicrography is the method by which images, magnified through a microscope, are collected by a camera. This information can sometimes be limited due to the photomicrographer’s own knowledge of the subject, but resources such as the three-volume Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones (Gübelin and Koivula 1986, 2005, 2008) aid in understanding the subjects the gemologist may encounter through the microscope. By capturing these microcosms in a recorded image, the information is preserved for easy reference. The inclusion scenes observed in the micro-world of gems often reveal a tremendous amount about the identity and origin of an unknown gemstone. This article offers examples of some basic techniques and tips on the application of digital processing to get the most out of photomicrographs.
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Digital photomicrography allows gemologists the opportunity to instantly see the resultant images, which can then be adjusted with image-refining software so that they represent their subject as realistically as possible. The image quality that can now be achieved by digital cameras is equal, and in many ways superior, to the quality offered by film. Until recently, film was the preferred medium used for capturing images through the microscope, primarily due to resolution limitations of digital-format cameras.
Note: Field of view is horizontal throughout this paper unless otherwise specified. Photomicrograph by Nathan Renfro, field of view 5.85 mm. The black manganese oxide “plumes” in this Australian opal serve as a good example of art and science merging in gemology. Comprehensive CAD/CAM For Jewelry Certificateįigure 1.
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