Patent ID: 8317521
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: G01N,G09B

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method of evaluating a gemstone in a retail environment using a computer, the method comprising: connecting the computer in the retail environment to an apparatus configured to capture images of a gemstone facilitated by a reflector having a concave surface having a plurality of alternately reflective and relatively unreflective regions divided into equal radial sectors arranged along an axis; illuminating the gemstone by light reflected from said reflector so as to provide a spatially varied light pattern, with a series of peaks and troughs of light intensity; capturing images of the gemstone at a plurality of positions of the light pattern relative to the gemstone; retrieving the captured images from the apparatus; in the retail environment, determining one or more properties of the gemstone from the captured images; presenting, on a display connected to the computer, at least one image of the gemstone and at least one representation of one or more properties of the gemstone; and determining one or more optical properties of the gemstone based on the at least one image, wherein the one or more optical properties include brilliance, scintillation, fire, and symmetry.