Ade Advanced Optics Pocket Diffraction Grating Gemological Spectroscope for Quick Gemstone Identification and GIA Use

Wanted a spectroscope to check absorption lines and thus identify gems. My trial stone was a synthetic ruby. Spent about $200 on a prism based unit that looked like one shown in a book I had. EXTREMELY difficult to catch a glimpse of the narrow absorption lines at the spectrum ends. No luck with sapphire or emerald either. Next bought a $10 plastic diffraction spectroscope. No success. Then I got this one. Had no trouble seeing all the ruby absorption lines upon first look. A solid metal unit that is a bargain for the price. I also like the leather pouch it comes in. It is pocket size which is good and bad: easily carried and easily misplaced, which I did with my first purchase. I bought another one (later found the one I misplaced, will keep both). Very pleased with this one - after going through three, this is the one!You do have to know how to use a spectrometer as there are no instructions. At this price you can’t expect a wavelength scale so you have to know what you are looking for. The $200 unit I mentioned had such a scale but was not very effective as a spectrometer and was difficult to adjust during use. For me, the value, quality, and clean view of absorption lines gave this little jewel 5 stars!

Spectrum does not appear as expected, the product is unusable. No clear absorption areas. Just wasted my money :(

Works.

This little device works perfectly! The viewing spectrum is plenty large, and very accurate. I can easily make out the main absorption lines of the sun when looking at clouds. Fluorescent lights really show their unique spectrum well! I am using it for gemology purposes, and I find it to be a wonderful pocket sized piece that works VERY well. For the price, it's a steal! I really wanted accurate linear diffraction grating, for it to be very portable for shows, and a decent price, and this unit excels at all the above. The only thing it is missing is a scale, but I can certainly get by without it. Highly recommended for the price!

Arrived in a plastic bag.arrived with, I think, 3 layers of unnecessary packaging? (I didn't track closely - sorry) The bag inside the leather case was over the top.'works well enough for my use case (identifying if lights are broad spectrum or not).