The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has introduced a new GemTOF instrument which will provide extra information about the origin of a gemtsone and will more precisely identify a range of other elements in coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls. The new system is a next-generation elemental analytical device that conducts chemical analysis through laser ablation, the lab said in a statement.

Elaborating on the technology, SSEF said that the instrument uses Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) to conduct chemical analyses of gemstones and pearls. It is an advancement on other systems using this technology as it allows almost all isotopes to be measured simultaneously, rather than analysing a selection of them one after the other. It also creates very shallow pits with the diameter of a single human hair, which are hardly visible and do not affect the weight of a stone.

Describing the technique as a new breakthrough, SSEF said that it offers new possibilities for origin determination of coloured gemstones, among them emerald, ruby, sapphire, spinel, alexandrite, tourmaline and garnet. Other applications include age dating, analysis of inclusions and chemical zoning in coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls.

Dr. Michael Krzemnicki, Director of SSEF said, "Being the first gemmological laboratory worldwide to introduce this new and highly sensitive instrument to gemstone testing marks a further milestone in SSEF's mission to offer our clients services based on the most sophisticated scientific techniques available."

Detailed scientific information about the technology and its use in gemmology has already been discussed in technical reports published in the most recent issues of the Journal of Gemmology and InColor.

A video and additional background information is available on www.gemtof.ch.

Pic caption: A lab technician checking a sapphire using the GemTOF