Patent ID: 7436498
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: G01B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining the shape of a gemstone including concavities on its surface, the gemstone having a size not smaller than a predetermined minimal size,the apparatus comprising: (a) a platform adapted to support the gemstone; (b) a scanning system adapted to provide geometrical information concerning the three-dimensional convex envelope of the gemstone; (c) an illumination system adapted to project on said gemstone illumination in the form of at least two laser beams along at least two separate optical paths; (d) an imaging system adapted to capture at least a portion of said illumination when reflected from the gemstone; and (e) a processor adapted to determine said shape based on the captured illumination and said geometrical information; the apparatus being adapted to rotate said gemstone with respect to the illumination system about an axis of rotation; at least one of said paths being spaced from said axis of rotation.