Abstract: An apparatus for determining the shape of a gemstone, including irregularities on its surface, is provided, The apparatus comprises a platform adapted to support the gemstone, a scanning system adapted to provide geometrical information concerning the three-dimensional convex envelope of the gemstone, an illumination system adapted to project on the gemstone a plurality of laser beams, an imaging system adapted to capture reflections of at least a part of said laser beams from the surface of the gemstone, and a processor. The processor is adapted to calculate, based on said geometrical information, a predicted reflection of each laser beam, to compare the captured reflections with said predicted reflections and to relate each captured reflection to its corresponding predicted reflection, to determine said shape of the gemstone based on the comparison and said geometrical information.

Abstract: A method for examining a gemstone includes the steps of coating the gemstone with a removable diffusing coating and determining the silhouette of the gemstone in three dimensions. The method further includes performing structured light triangulation by using laser light to obtain an image of the surface of the gemstone, the gemstone being transparent and/or reflective to the laser light in the absence of the coating. The method further includes the step of using the silhouette in conjunction with the image to determine the location of any recesses on the surface.

Abstract: A diamond marking attachment comprising a laser, for a 3D diamond mapping apparatus, and a method of laser marking on a diamond surface, via a material that is capable of interacting with a laser beam either in a way that this material is permanently changed and turns into a char mark that adheres to the diamond surface, or in a way that a permanent mark is etched through the material into the diamond surface.