Moscow University specialists are carrying out research in various fields of gemology independently and in cooperation with other scientific organisations. Up-to-date study techniques in gemology include the techniques that do not result in the destruction or damage of the objects under examination:

An X-ray microprobe allows carrying out specific chemical surface test in a local area (point) without material destruction. This technique is used for the diagnostics of gemstones, imitations, establishing the compositions of metal alloys and the distinctive features of the chemical composition of material.

Raman Spectroscopy (combination scattering spectroscopy) is used for identification of materials, as well as for establishing the composition of the inclusions that do not reach the stone surface, without damaging the stone. This technique is also used for establishing the composition of the substances that fill cracks in gemstones, and for establishing the degree of treatment.

Electronic Spin Resonance (ESP-spectroscopy) allows detecting natural stones with determination of locality, and synthetic gemstones with the precision of up to the synthesis method. This method is used especially successfully for emeralds. This method is also used for studying the nature of mineral colouring. As regards diamond studies, ESP allows to establish the presence and concentrations of paramagnetic impurity centres that can be used for detecting synthetic and treated diamonds.

Optical spectroscopy (infrared, visible and ultraviolet ranges) is used for studying the composition of gemstones and their colouring. The gemstone color can be modelled by the absorption spectrum in the visible range, and a methodology for objective colour description can be developed. Infrared spectroscopy allows establishing the physical types of diamonds and differentiating between some natural gemstones and synthetic stones by water line positions. Some distinctive features of absorption spectrum allow establishing deposits for natural stones and the synthesis method for artificial stones.

Luminescent spectrophotometry with various luminescence excitation methods serves for studying the nature of colour and allows differentiating between gemstone natural colour and artificially generated colour. Studying the luminescence spectrum allows to obtain genetic information regarding the development of precious stones in nature and artificial conditions.

Cathodoluminescent colour and spectral analysis allows to study the luminescence caused by electronic beam. The distribution of luminescence centres throughout the surface of a gemstone, in particular, a diamond, is unique for each crystal and can be used as its “visiting card”. This method is successfully used for differentiating between natural and synthetic diamonds.

X-ray analysis. The X-ray monocrystalline structure analysis allows establishing the structure of crystalline material and the distribution of various impurities in a structure. X-ray study is used for differentiating natural pearls from cultivated ones, for establishing and refinement of crystal structure, for exciting X-ray luminescence, for sorting out diamond-containing concentrate, as well as for changing the colour of various gemstones.