Automated system and method for clarity measurements and clarity grading
View Patent ↗A computer-based system and method for taking clarity measurements of a gem, and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, are provided and include receiving a pixilated image of a gem and identifying pixels representing an inclusion. The method and medium further include determining characteristics of the inclusion as a function of the pixels representing the inclusion, and providing a clarity grade based upon the determined characteristics. Also provided is a method for mapping a gem, and a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which include receiving a pixilated image of a gem having facet edges, and identifying pixels representing the facet edges. The method and medium further include generating a diagram of the gem, such that the diagram is a function of the pixels representing the facet edges, and superimposing the diagram onto the pixilated image.
1. A method of obtaining a clarity grade for a gem, comprising:
at a computer, receiving a pixelated image of a gemstone;
at the computer, creating an outline of facets from the pixelated image of the gemstone;
by the computer, mapping facets on the pixelated image by identifying facet edges in the pixelated image using edge detection, and superimposing modeled outline onto the pixelated image;
at the computer, receiving an indication of a region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
at the computer, analyzing pixels in the region of interest;
at the computer, determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the region of interest, based on the analysis; and
at the computer, determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of pixels in the region of interest includes running scripts to isolate inclusions located within the region of interest.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the analysis of pixels in the region of interest includes receiving input from the user regarding isolation of inclusions.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristics include at least one of type, area, number, relief and position of the inclusions.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by the computer,
receiving an indication of a second region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
at the computer, analyzing pixels in the second region of interest;
at the computer, determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the second region of interest, based on the analysis;
at the computer, determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest and second region of interest.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pixelated image of the gemstone is generated from a digital camera and dark field illumination apparatus.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the dark field illumination apparatus includes intensity controls, a pivoting reflector unit, and a table.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the pixelated image of the gemstone is of a crown of the gemstone.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by the computer, measuring a diameter of the gemstone using the mapped facets.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by the computer, measuring an area of an identified inclusion in the area of interest using the mapped facets.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising, by the computer, identifying a position of an identified inclusion in the area of interest using the mapped facets.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the clarity grade includes consideration of a size of the gemstone, a size of any identified inclusions, and a location of any identified inclusions.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions thereon for a method of obtaining a clarity grade for a gem, the method comprising:
receiving a pixelated image of a gemstone;
creating an outline of facets from the pixelated image of the gemstone;
mapping facets on the pixelated image by identifying facet edges in the pixelated image using edge detection, and superimposing modeled outline onto the pixelated image;
receiving an indication of a region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
analyzing pixels in the region of interest;
determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the region of interest, based on the analysis; and
determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the analysis of pixels in the region of interest includes running scripts to isolate inclusions located within the region of interest.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the analysis of pixels in the region of interest includes receiving input from the user regarding isolation of inclusions.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the characteristics include at least one of type, area, number, relief and position of the inclusions.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 further comprising, by the computer,
receiving an indication of a second region of interest in the pixelated image from a user input;
at the computer, analyzing pixels in the second region of interest;
at the computer, determining characteristics of any inclusions found in the second region of interest, based on the analysis;
at the computer, determining a clarity grade based on the analysis of pixels in the region of interest and second region of interest.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the pixelated image of the gemstone is generated from a digital camera and dark field illumination apparatus;
wherein the dark field illumination apparatus includes intensity controls, a pivoting reflector unit, and a table.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 further comprising,
measuring a diameter of the gemstone using the mapped facets;
measuring an area of an identified inclusion in the area of interest using the mapped facets; and
identifying a position of an identified inclusion in the area of interest using the mapped facets.