Abstract: A viewing apparatus for viewing a surface of a gemstone comprising an adjustable platform with a surface adapted to receive the gemstone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a viewing axis along which the gemstone is viewed, a light source to emit light substantially parallel to the viewing axis, and an adjustment mechanism having misalignment indicators, arranged to provide three or more visually distinguishable zones around the viewing axis. The adjustment mechanism also has three or more adjustment indicators positioned relative to the platform and the misalignment indicators, where the adjustment indicators are associated with the visually distinguishable zones such that an image viewed along the viewing axis of one of the zones reflected from the surface of the gemstone provides an indication of which way to adjust the platform relative to the viewing axis to make the surface of the gemstone perpendicular to the viewing axis.