What do I need to photograph pink diamonds w/iPhone 4S

[Pilot172]

Is it possible to photograph a pink diamond and other jewelry with an iPhone 4S? What other equipment do I need? I do not want to spend too much money. It is just for fun. I was thinking of using a light box. Maybe http://www.modahaus.com/store/bundles/ or http://www.henrys.com/60479-DYNAPHOS-DPL-005M-12X12-LIGHTCUBE.aspx Also what type of lighting should I use?

 

[chrono]

I have taken pictures of my rings and gems using my iPhone 4S without any fancy lighting or setup. Just indoor office light, by a window and outdoors (someplace safe). I find that it has good colour representation, at least compared to my old digital camera.

 

[kenny]

Much about good gem photography is about environment, lighting and knowledge. (not just expensive cameras and lenses)
I recommend a white translucent box to eliminate the distracting and uncontrolled environment and soften the lighting.

You can buy one or make one out of white cloth stretched and glued or stapled into a heavy cardboard box with most of 5 sides cut out. Just leave the frame.
Don't forget the bottom needs to be white too, as does whatever you place the gem on.

Put your gem inside and make a hole in one side for the camera to see through.
Next use the brightest lighting you can get.
Cheapest is buying four aluminum reflector thingies at home Depot, aroung $5 each and buy a set of the four brightest CFL bulbs from Home Depot for around $10, preferably with a color temp of 5000 K or higher.
Place them on 3 sides and on top of the light box.
You don't need to buy stands, just stack up books and hang the overhead one from a nail in the ceiling.

Next experiment with putting your iPhone as close as possible until the pics just start to blur, then back away the camera till the pic are not not blurred.

It will look something like this except the front also needs to be mostly white cloth with a hole cut in the middle so the camera can look in.
I've heard they also sell macro close up lenses for iPHones you may want to look into.

Can the iPhone be put on a tripod or duct tapped to something so your pics are not blurred by hand holding them?

Good luck and please post your results.

 

[miraclesrule]

I hate to highjack the thread, just one minor deviation if I may. Kenny what type of tripod(s) do you use? You have a tabletop and a regular one, don't you? I can't recall.

My daughter's is too cheap, apparently, because her new lenses add so much weight than the tripod is capable of handling with stability. Inquiring minds...yada, yada...