Holder for loose gem under microscope

[LilAlex]

Maybe not the right forum but I figured I'd start here.

I managed to get my hands on a busted fifty-year-old "StereoZoom" microscope. (They went by a lot of brand names but were originally B&L.) It needed some TLC and a few replacement parts but is finally in pretty good shape and, optically, works great. I would like to be able to use it to look at inclusions in unmounted stones to self-educate a bit. I know I will never "be a pro" (or even "any good"!) but I do want to appreciate some of the more obvious telltales of high-temperature heating in sapphire, for example. It was also a reason to save an old tank of a 'scope from the dumpster it was headed toward ...although I think my spouse was quietly disappointed by my triumph, tbh. I'm sure many of you can relate.

I am looking for a gem holder that I can use to move a stone in three dimensions (i.e., on all three axes) and rotate around at least one. I stumbled across this on IG and it's what I am looking for, I think. (I do not know this vendor.) Anyone know where to find such a thing? Or have a better solution? I am not looking for a four-figure mechanical stage like a research microscope. Thank you!

 

[PrecisionGem]

Look at Kassoy.com

 

[LilAlex]

Look at Kassoy.com

Thank you - appreciate the tip from a master!

 

[Karl_K]

microscope gemstone holder - Google Search

more options.

 

[VividRed]

microscope gemstone holder - Google Search

more options.

Thank, appreciate the tip from a master

Eheheh

 

[Karl_K]

A lot of oldtimers just use locking tweezers and they work fine for most things.

https://www.amazon.com/SE-TW2-407-6-Piece-Diamond-Tweezers/dp/B0019N4VDE/

 

[LilAlex]

Thank, appreciate the tip from a master

I would have added that for @Karl_K but you saw the response before I did, @VividRed!

A lot of oldtimers just use locking tweezers and they work fine for most things.

I am hoping for something that will be stable and stationary for a while -- not just a quick assessment. I can walk away, look something up, look at a photo in a book or online, etc...

It's hard to find one with an actual base unless it is purpose-built to be mated with a specific microscope. Weird. Lots are designed to "fit" a 3mm or 6mm hole but I don't know what that's all about. I've worked with lots of microscopes -- but not with gems -- and I don't know about these holes.

 

[Karl_K]

Lots are designed to "fit" a 3mm or 6mm hole but I don't know what that's all about. I've worked with lots of microscopes -- but not with gems -- and I don't know about these holes.

Many scopes have a post with a 3mm or 6mm hole in it for attachments some scopes dont come with the post but have a hole for it to screw into.
Post some pictures of the base of your scope.
Top and side views please.

Edit: other like this one just have a 6mm hole...

 

[LilAlex]

Many scopes have a post with a 3mm or 6mm hole in it for attachments some scopes dont come with the post but have a hole for it to screw into.

Thanks, @Karl_K !

I have this. There are a pair of "receivers" on either side of the stage but neither is threaded. They look like 5.5 - 6mm inner diameter (I have a 1/32 of an inch rule and the ~ 7/32" diameter is ~ 5.5 mm). The last photo is a zoomed-in view of one of the receivers. In the first photo, I redacted an optical supply company where it had been purchased or serviced. I think it's from the mid-70s or so.

There should be a glass plate or disc serving as the stage but there is no recess for it to drop in to. Maybe it snapped over those receiver pins? Otherwise, you drop specimens right onto the iris diaphragm. In fact, the diaphragm was ruined (buckled, with the leaves permanently sticking up through the stage) and I was able to get a decent knock-off of pretty much the same diameter on eBay.

 

[Karl_K]

hmm no 6mm hole or stud.
Out of curiosity what are the eyepieces? 10x? 25x?

 

[Karl_K]

one thought is a magnetic indicator holder attached to the base to hold one of the 6mm gem holders.
If you know someone with a 3d printer they could also print a 6mm clamp on holder for one.
Or piggyback it off the top light mount.

 

[LilAlex]

Out of curiosity what are the eyepieces? 10x? 25x?

They are 10X. It is easy to get Chinese-made after-market 15X or 25X. I think they are "non-correcting" eyepieces so they should be fairly standardized.

I guess I might just make a stage plate out of wood and inset some round glass. I could drill a hole for pin or for a nut that mates with either the 3mm or 6mm screw at the end of the stone holder.

I think it's a weird "Frankenscope" originally marketed by GIA as the Gemolite Mark V (EDIT: I think it's a Mark VI, maybe?).

EDIT #2: Somebody on eBay shows this set-up for the stone holder (I guess there was never a stage plate and the iris is exposed) for a similar 'scope (same GIA base and near-identical optical tube but different branding) but I can not see how to attaches:

 

[Karl_K]

They are 10X. It is easy to get Chinese-made after-market 15X or 25X. I think they are "non-correcting" eyepieces so they should be fairly standardized.

Correct but they are 23mm not the standard 30mm from what I found.
Searching ao 570 on google brings up some information.
The same head was used on different bases as is common in the microscope world.

 

[Karl_K]

See if the receiver thingeys unscrew and what the threads are if there are any.....
If not could remove and drill and tap as another option.

 

[LilAlex]

Correct but they are 23mm not the standard 30mm from what I found.
Searching ao 570 on google brings up some information.
The same head was used on different bases as is common in the microscope world.

Yes! I have some spares/discards that also fit (Zeiss).

I managed to find a catalog of that era online (see photos below) and the guy who set this aside for me had a (somewhat related) manual.

Yes, the optical tube was B&L originally and then rebranded as AO, Reichert, and even Leica. I have used and loved the Leica S6E at work (for some biological specimen prep) and I was pleased to learn that this is pretty much the same thing.

Good idea on unscrewing those weird little nubs -- will give it a shot!