FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRA RED (FT-IR) SPECTROSCOPY

FT-IR stands for Fourier Transform Infra red the preferred method of infrared spectroscopy . In infrared spectroscopy, Infrared radiation is passed through a sample. Some of the infrared radiation is absorbed by the sample and some of it is passed through ( transmitted) . The resulting spectrum represents the molecular absorption and transmission creating a molecular fingerprint of the sample.

It is a non – destructive technique . It provides a precise measurement method which requires no external calibration.

Following are some of the board applications of FTIR in gem identification:

• IDENTIFICATION OF TYPES OF DIAMONDS
• IDENTIFICATION OF SYNTHETIC DIAMONDS , EMERALDS AND QUARTZ.
• IDENTIFICATION OF HEAT TREATMENT & FILLING OF FOREIGN SUBSTANCE IN CORUNDUM.
• IDENTIFICATION OF RESIN FILLING IN EMERALDS