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Abstract
A survey of gem materials began at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2003. Key information includes not only the identity of the gem and the style of cut, where possible, but also the presence of any additional materials used for the enhancement, or in the simulation, of gems. The occurrence of enhancements and simulants was unexpectedly high and the materials used relatively unstable. This paper introduces the most commonly encountered historical techniques in order to aid the conservator in their identification, and thus inform decisions regarding the suitable treatment, storage and display methods for gem-set objects.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Dr Lucia Burgio, Object Analysis Scientist, V&A, for both the Raman and fibre analyses, and Dr Brenda Keneghan, Polymer Scientist, V&A, for FTIR. Many thanks also to Dr Richard Edgcumbe, Senior Curator of Metalwork, and Sophia Wills, Senior Metals Conservator, V&A, for their help and encouragement.