New Gemstone Testing & Research Lab CDC, BHU
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), located on the southern edge of Varanasi, near the banks of the river Ganges, has decided to establish a state-of-the-art gemstone testing and research laboratory under the Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute (SATHI) scheme sanctioned by the department of Science and Technology (DST).
The laboratory will be housed in the Central Discovery Centre (CDC) of BHU.
According to the BHU spokesperson, the meet was attended by many experts including a former director general of the Geological Survey of India J.N. Das, Prof. N.V. Chalapathi Rao from the department of Geology at BHU, Neeraj Pandey, and a former senior official at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Faculty members from the departments of Geology and Chemistry were also present, along with the president of the Indian Industry Association Rajesh Bhatia.
As per reports, the proposed gem testing facility will be equipped with several state-of-the-art sophisticated instruments, including an FTIR (Fourier Transformation Infra-Red spectroscope), Laser Raman spectroscopy, ED-XRF (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer), table top XRD (X-Ray Diffractometer), UV-VIS-NIR (Ultra Violet, VISible and Near Infra-Red) spectrometer, binocular and polarizing microscopes, and a laser cutter.
These instruments will be used to identify various aspects of gemstones such as structure, chemistry, colour, and inclusions, Tripathi said.
The facility will be established at an investment of Rs 3.75 crore (approximately US$450,000).
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