<p>Is it ok to use biology microscope for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemology" rel="nofollow">gemological</a> purpose?</p>

<p>What's the difference?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T04:59:23.577Z
Most biological microscopes work by light transmission - light passes through the specimen from below.  This doesn't work well with most rocks.
jamesqf
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T09:03:36.857Z
It mostly depends what exactly is the thing you want to do. There are many kinds of biological microscopes and there are many "gemological" things you can do.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-06T13:19:07.957Z
@Michael, for example: I'd like to find mineral flaws. What "gemological" things can't be done with biological microscope?
Ilya Popovich
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-07T11:31:09.543Z
If it's a transmitted light microscope (light comes from below), you may be able to detect some mineral flaws, depending on your skill, the quality of the microscope, the mineral in question and the type of flaw. There is no definitive answer to your question.
Gimelist
<mineralogy><minerals>
Is it ok to use biology microscope for gemological purpose?
Ilya Popovich
# Is it ok to use biology microscope for gemological purpose?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-05)

Is it ok to use biology microscope for [gemological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemology) purpose?

What's the difference?

**Tags:** mineralogy, minerals

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Most biological microscopes work by light transmission - light passes through the specimen from below.  This doesn't work well with most rocks.  
> **username_2**: It mostly depends what exactly is the thing you want to do. There are many kinds of biological microscopes and there are many "gemological" things you can do.  
> **username_0**: @Michael, for example: I'd like to find mineral flaws. What "gemological" things can't be done with biological microscope?  
> **username_2**: If it's a transmitted light microscope (light comes from below), you may be able to detect some mineral flaws, depending on your skill, the quality of the microscope, the mineral in question and the type of flaw. There is no definitive answer to your question.  

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## 0 answers

