How to Build a World Class, Diamond Color Grading Light ... · You can buy a factory made Diamond Grading Light however they are all, way over priced as most of them start at nearly

La Shawn Bauer, GG & High Sierra Gem Lab Email: [email protected] VR3.1x © December 2013 [email protected]

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You can also checkout my website for other resource information at: http://www.gemologyonline.com/LaShawn/appraisal.html

How to Build a

World Class, Diamond “Color Grading” Light Cabinet and Light

All for UNDER $50.00


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It is actually pretty easy, simple and straight forward. First off, There are currently NO SET Standards as to what constitutes a Diamond Color Grading Light. The only broad statement is North Daylight Equivalent. So what exactly is North Daylight? However the best way to approach this topic or subject is to list and quantify your light source. Therefore within your report you should have a clause, condition or statement that lists and identifies the following items to quantify both YOU and YOUR Light Source. The Light Source:

1. Name of the Light, by manufacturer and model number 2. Color Temperature in Kelvin of the light and/or lights 3. The Output Wattage 4. Lumens 5. Are you using a diffuser plate or direct light from the bulb itself?

a. What is the Optical Properties of the Diffuser Plate? 6. Distance from Light Source to Subject Stones being Graded 7. The Angle perpendicular from Light Source to Subject Stones 8. Grading With or WITH OUT U.V. Component in the Long Wave range of 365nm

The Grader:

1. The Grader, have they been checked for Color Perception? a. When? Date b. What Test was administrated?

2. The distance the Grader’s Eyes are from the light source and subject stones 3. Is the light source directly shielded from the Grader’s Eyes when Grading Color. 4. Are you using magnification? Such as an Opti-Visor

a. What are the optical properties of the lens? b. What is the Magnification Power? c. What is the Focal Length or Distance of Focus?

5. Grader WEARING GLASSES and/or Contact Lens? a. Are they tinted? b. What are the optical properties of the lens?

6. Has the Grader had ANY TYPE of Eye Surgery?

Now the new hot topic and subject that has been kicked around is Fluorescence. To Grade Diamonds WITH or WITHOUT the U.V. Component? This is really quite important and it should be listed in your reports as to if you are filtering the U.V. Component out or not when grading your diamonds. Properties of Polycarbonate: Starts Blocking from 400nm on down


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Inventory List of Items you will need and their sources: Portable Light: Ottlite Style Folding light from Stuller $26.45 Purchase a Spare Bulb Plug it in and check it and then store it away Lexan Brand – Polycarbonate Sheet: Lexan Polycarbonate from Lowes or Home Depot $10.00 Bright White Paper: Bright-White Typing/Copy/Printer Paper Foam Core Poster Board: Bright White from Office Depot or Office Max $10.00


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This is a portable folding Fluorescent Light that is available through Stuller The Rubber bands are holding a Custom-Cut Polycarbonate Lexan Sheet that will act as the U.V. Blocking Filter.


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Slightly different Angle looking upward to see how the Lexan Filter Plate is cut to fit the light


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Another Angle with the light laying down to better see the fit of the U.V. Filter Plate in place


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I used simple Bright White Typing/Copy/Laser Printer Paper 8 ½ x 11 I simply folded and taped it all together, nothing fancy


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Back Angle shot to show how I folded and taped plain copy paper together to form a crude shielded viewing Color Grading Box. This helps stop ambient and stray light and color from entering the viewing and grading area.


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I placed my Diamond Grading Trays inside my Home-Made Paper Viewing Box I could and should cover the Black Foot (Base) of the light so that everything is white and no other colors can be seen with your eyes when you start to Color Grading Process. You can also build a raiser made out of a plain cardboard box to raise the Grading Trays up to whatever height you want or need to help replicate your Diamond Color Grading Light and Light Box you use in your Full-Size Lab. You want to have Repeatable and Consistent Lighting Environments at Home or in the Field.


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This is a Close-Up of my Grading Trays within my Home-Made Viewing Box out of paper You can also design and build a Semi- Permanent Viewing Cabinet using Foam Core Poster Boards I was going to do just that and include the photos into this article but I have been too busy to build it so it will have to wait for another article to be posted. You can buy a factory made Diamond Grading Light however they are all, way over priced as most of them start at nearly $1,000.00 US or more. Since the Jewelry Industry, Diamond Industry and the Appraisal Industry is totally unregulated as there are no clear cut Laws and Regulations or even rules then this is one way to go. As long as you list the information properly as to what you did and how you did it then it becomes constant and consistent and repeatable. HOWEVER, there are some Appraisal Societies and/or Organization that require you to have a Certified Laboratory and then you will need to break down and purchase an approved Lighted Viewing Cabinet. Now on to the FUN, Boring Stuff…………THE PAPER WORK!!!!


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This is how I Record My Color Notations within my Reports I list my results in the following order; Fluorescence: Long Wave: Short Wave: U.V. Lighting & Grading Environment: Color Grade: Color Grade Notation Color Graded by: Color Grading Light Environment: Body Color: Fancy Color Grade: Fancy Color Grading System Used:


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Fluorescence:

Long Wave: (0) None/Negligible (1 or 2) Weak/Faint Powder Blue (3 or 4) Medium/Moderate Powder Blue (5 or 6) Strong Powder Blue (7 or 8) Very Strong/Intense Powder Blue (1 or 2) Weak/Faint Yellow (3 or 4) Medium/Moderate Yellow (5 or 6) Strong Yellow (7 or 8) Very Strong/Intense Yellow None/Negligible Weak/Faint Medium/Moderate Strong Very Strong/Intense

Short Wave:

(0) None/Negligible (1 or 2) Weak/Faint Powder Blue (3 or 4) Medium/Moderate Powder Blue (5 or 6) Strong Powder Blue (7 or 8) Very Strong/Intense Powder Blue (1 or 2) Weak/Faint Yellow (3 or 4) Medium/Moderate Yellow (5 or 6) Strong Yellow (7 or 8) Very Strong/Intense Yellow None/Negligible Weak/Faint Medium/Moderate Strong Very Strong/Intense

U.V. Lighting & Grading Environment:

Internationally Standardized – 2008 (I put this in hoping one day we will have set standards) Fully Enclosed Lighting Environment


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Color Grade:

D D to E D to F E E to F E to G F F to G F to H G G to H G to I H H to I H to J I I to J I to K J J to K J to L K K to L K to M L L to M L to N M M to N N N to O O O to P P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Z+ Fancy


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Color Graded by:

Diamond Master Color Set Diamond Master Color Set (Straight Grade) Diamond Master Color Set (Split Grade) Gran/Sarin DC-3000 Colorimeter Austrin / Colorimeter Combination / Sarin DC-3000 / Diamond Master Color Set Combination / Austrin / Diamond Master Color Set C.Z. Comparison Set

Color Grading Light Environment:

Internationally Standardized – 2008 GIA/GEM Diamond Lite Cabinet WITH U.V. Blocking Filter GIA/GEM Diamond Lite Cabinet WITH-OUT U.V. Blocking Filter

Body Color:

Yellowish Brownish Silvery Gun Metal Steel Grayish Cloudy and/or Milky Black Black (Semi-Transparent) Black (Translucent) Black (Semi-Translucent) Black (Opaque)

Fancy Color Grade:

Fancy Light - Fancy - Fancy Dark – Fancy Deep - Fancy Intense – Fancy Vivid – Fancy Black C-1 Light Champagne C-1 to C-2 Light Champagne C-2 Light Champagne C-3 Medium Champagne C-3 to C-4 Medium Champagne C-4 Medium Champagne C-5 Dark Champagne C-5 to C-6 Dark Champagne C-6 Dark Champagne C-7 Fancy Cognac

Fancy Color Grading System Used:

GIA Gem-E-Wizard / Gem-E-Square Other -


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So as you can see I have added within my Report nearly all of the pertinent information as to how I Color Graded the Diamond(s) That way there is no confusion as to what I did and how I did it. Things to think about and also consider: Grader’s Eyes – Color Perception Grading Eye Test every Two (2) or Three (3) Years Grader’s Eyes – Annual Eye Exam Grader’s Eyes – Length of Time Grading per Grading Session Fluorescent Lights – Start-up and Shut-down – Cycling Fluorescent Lights – Optimal Operating Temperature Fluorescent Lights – Light Degradation over time Stray Ambient Light Stray Ambient Colors within peripheral vision of eyes Distance of Light Source from Subject Strength of Light – Watts and Lumens Angle of Light Source in relation to Subject Distance of Eyes from Subject Angle of Subject in relation to Light Source Angle of Eyes in relation to Subject Shielding of Eyes from Direct Light Source Other things that can and will affect Color Grade Perception: Grader’s Over-all Health Grader’s Color of Clothes worn Grader’s Jewelry on hands, watches and/or bracelets on wrists within peripheral vision of eyes Caffeine Intake, Coffee, Tea, Sodas Smoking / Chewing – Nicotine Over-the-Counter Drugs Prescription Drugs


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Other Grading Challenges in regards to Lighting: Grading Brilliance in Colored Stones: Grading Windowing: Grading Extinction: Color Grading Phenomena (Color Change) Colored Stones: Grading Asterism or Chatoyancy: Grading Opals: Grading Pearls: I hope you all enjoyed the article and I got you all to start thinking just a bit more.

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How to Build a World Class, Diamond Color Grading Light ... · You can buy a factory made Diamond Grading Light however they are all, way over priced as most of them start at nearly