Uh oh...

[tessie]

Hi !!

I tried using a Digital Refractometer today, I put my favourite sapphire ring on one ...I think the name of the machine was a "Sinokit" or "Senekit" something, it had a blue button on it and the machine gave 3 lots of different numbers.

Does this mean the machine was faulty ?

I know my ring is a real Sapphire ring as it was bought from Ernest Jones last year.

Is this "Sinokit/Senekit" a good machine or are there better ones around ?

TTFN

[ps_bond]

I've never actually used a digital refractometer (or more likely reflectometer in this case); I've only used manual ones. I'm aware the digital reflectometers can be a bit twitchy about polish, cleanliness of the stone and the likes.

Sinokit are a HK-based optoelectronics manufacturer - I'd guess this (http://www.sinokit.com/52/i-683.html) is the one you used. At just under $300 it's quite inexpensive for that type of instrument - although I see Presidium have one at a similar level.

If I needed to rely on a device like that it's a poor economy to get a cheap one. Something from Gem-A or GIA (and perhaps the training to use it as part of the identification) would be a safer bet; TBH, I'd stick with a pure optical one rather than electronic.

If you want some more info on the devices -

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14336
http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12951
http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14515

Added - Quicktest have a nice little read on electronic testers too: http://www.quicktest.co.uk/gemtesters.htm

[tessie]

Thank you....I'll have a read up :-)

[Wallace]

I've never actually used a digital refractometer (or more likely reflectometer in this case); I've only used manual ones. I'm aware the digital reflectometers can be a bit twitchy about polish, cleanliness of the stone and the likes.

Sinokit are a HK-based optoelectronics manufacturer - I'd guess this (http://www.sinokit.com/52/i-683.html) is the one you used. At just under $300 it's quite inexpensive for that type of instrument - although I see Presidium have one at a similar level.

If I needed to rely on a device like that it's a poor economy to get a cheap one. Something from Gem-A or GIA (and perhaps the training to use it as part of the identification) would be a safer bet; TBH, I'd stick with a pure optical one rather than electronic.

If you want some more info on the devices -

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14336
http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12951
http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14515

Added - Quicktest have a nice little read on electronic testers too: http://www.quicktest.co.uk/gemtesters.htm

can't fault the Gem N Eye III