Gemstone Inclusion Tracing via Selective Illumination Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting inclusions in gemstones, particularly cut diamonds, lack repeatability and efficiency, making it difficult to trace the origin and path of gemstones from mining to retail, as they do not provide a quick and inexpensive mechanism for identifying matching inclusions.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses selective illumination patterns and image processing to compare the inclusions in two gemstones, calculating a matching score to determine if they originated from the same source, incorporating a controller, image acquisition device, and storage system for image analysis and comparison.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inclusion detection methods are used, then gemstone clarity can be assessed, but the detection lacks repeatability and cannot reliably trace gemstone origin
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple independently controllable light sources positioned at different locations around the gemstone. Each light source illuminates the gemstone from a specific angle, creating distinct illumination patterns that highlight different inclusion characteristics. This segmentation allows systematic examination of inclusions from multiple perspectives, improving both detection repeatability and identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies illumination parameters including light intensity, illumination angle, and wavelength to optimize inclusion detection. By changing these parameters systematically, the system can reveal different types of inclusions (internal, surface, color-treated) with consistent repeatability while maintaining high identification accuracy through multi-parameter characterization
2Measurement precision
If multiple illumination patterns are used to improve inclusion detection accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is designed with multi-functional light sources that can operate in multiple modes (different intensities, angles, and wavelengths) to detect various inclusion types. This universal design achieves high detection accuracy across different gemstone characteristics without requiring separate specialized systems for each inclusion type, thereby controlling overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures multiple images of the same gemstone under different illumination patterns and processes them to create a comprehensive inclusion map. By copying the gemstone image under various conditions and synthesizing the information, the system achieves high detection accuracy while using a single versatile illumination device rather than multiple specialized ones
3Productivity
If traditional manual inclusion examination is used, then cost is reduced, but productivity and efficiency are insufficient for commercial application
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated image processing and analysis algorithms that independently evaluate inclusion patterns, calculate matching scores, and generate clarity assessments without requiring constant human intervention. This self-service capability dramatically increases productivity by enabling rapid sequential analysis of multiple gemstones while keeping operational costs low through minimal manual labor requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual visual examination with automated optical imaging and computer-based image processing. The illumination system captures high-resolution images that are then analyzed by software algorithms, substituting the mechanical/manual process of human eye examination with an automated optical-digital system that provides both high speed and accuracy
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive image processing is applied to identify inclusions, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of illumination images by capturing multiple images under different illumination patterns simultaneously or in rapid sequence. Pre-processing steps including noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and feature extraction are applied to prepare the data for final inclusion analysis. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden of the final matching algorithm, maintaining high accuracy while minimizing total processing time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and efficient identification of gemstones by determining matching inclusions, providing a reliable method for tracing the origin and path of gemstones, improving the clarity grading process and reducing false-positive detections.
Implementation Method 1
a first illumination system configured to selectively illuminate each of a plurality of spaced apart light entrance areas of gemstone A from corresponding illumination directions
Implementation Method 2
provide an internal uniform illumination of one or more predetermined light exit regions of the gemstone
Implementation Method 3
an image acquisition device configured to capture images of gemstone A when illuminated by the first illumination system
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided method for detecting inclusions in a gemstone comprising illuminating the gemstone by successively producing illumination patterns on the gemstone each selected so as to simultaneously provide an internal uniform illumination of one or more predetermined light exit regions of the gemstone, and each being defined by a unique combination of spaced apart light entrance areas illuminated simultaneously from corresponding illumination directions. The method further comprises capturing a plurality of images of the gemstone when illuminated as indicated above, processing the images and identifying inclusions in the images based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images. The illumination patterns can be produced by an illumination system configured to selectively illuminate the spaced apart light entrance areas of the gemstone from corresponding illumination directions. The illumination system can be controlled by a controller configured to cause the system to successively produce the illumination patterns. The images of the gemstone can be captured by an image acquisition device and processed by an image processing system configured for identifying inclusions based on non-uniformities in the internal illumination detected in the images.