Just like other people if you too are interested in finding gemstones then a gemstone refractometer can be of great help. Looking for gemstones can be an exciting hobby that can also help you earn money. However you need equipments or devices to assist you in your search for gemstones. A refractometer is one such electronic device that can identify gemstones.

You must however know the process of using a gemstone refractometer. First you have to examine the stone that you have selected for testing. Make sure that the testing is done under a bright light. For best results select a stone that is polished and has a large surface area. Gemologists call this as the “stone's table”. The stone should be cleaned properly before taking the reading. Remove traces of dirt, grease or fingerprints by wiping the stone with a soft clean cloth (lint-free).

There are many people who take searching for gemstones as their hobby while some take it as their profession. In any case a gemstone refractometer helps in the identification of gemstones. This device works by measuring the angles of light rays emitted by the gemstone as it is moved under a bright light. The device has an eyepiece through which the reading (visible on a scale) known as refractive index (RI) can be viewed.

Each gemstone has different refractive index which is exclusive to that particular gemstone. This trait is very helpful in the identification process and as such a refractometer is considered to be a very effective tool in the gemstone industry. Usually a refractometer gives reading upto 1.81 RI on the scale but there are refractometers that can give higher readings as well. Those gemstones that are presumed to have higher RI are identified using refractometers capable of giving higher readings.