A method of microinscribing a gemstone with laser energy from a pulse laser energy source, focused by an optical system on the workpiece, comprising the steps of:</claim-text> mounting a gemstone in a mounting system; directing the focused laser y onto a desired portion of the gemstone; imaging the gemstone from at least one vantage point; receiving marking instructions as at least one input; and controlling the directing of the focused laser energy based on the marking instructions and the imaging, to selectively generate a marking on the gemstone based on the instructions. view more

A laser energy microinscribing system, for gemstones, said system comprising:</claim-text> a laser energy source; a gemstone mounting system, allowing optical access to a mounted workpiece; an optical system for focusing laser energy from the laser y source, onto the gemstone to create an ablation pattern thereon; means for directing said focused laser energy onto a desired portion of the gemstone, having a control input; an imaging system for viewing the gemstone from at least one vantage point and obtaining image information from the gemstone; an input for receiving marking instructions; and a processor for controlling said directing means based on said marking instructions and said imaging system, to selectively generate a marking based on said instructions and a predetermined program. view more

A method for authenticating a cut gemstone, comprising the steps of:</claim-text> (a) identifying a girdle of the cut gemstone; (b) applying a microinscribed marking to a portion of the girdle, the microinscribed marking having a fixed relation to irdle; (c) reporting an image of the microinscribed marking and the portion of the girdle of the cut gemstone, having sufficient resolution and scope to record a relationship of the microinscribed marking to the portion of the girdle; (d) storing information from the recorded image digitally. view more

The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of comparing the stored information with the cut gemstone.

A laser energy microinscribing system for gemstones, said system comprising:</claim-text> a laser energy source; a cut gemstone mounting system, allowing optical access to a mounted gemstone; an optical system for focusing laser energy from the laser y source onto a cut gemstone; a displaceable stage, having a control input, for moving said gemstone mounting system with respect to said optical system so that said focused laser energy is presented to desired positions on said gemstone; an imaging system for viewing the gemstone from at least one vantage point; and a rigid frame supporting said laser, said optical system and said stage in fixed relation, to resist differential movements of said laser, said optical system and said stage and increase immunity to vibrational misalignments. view more

An authentication system for a gemstone, comprising:</claim-text> (a) means for applying a microinscribed marking to a portion of the gemstone, the microinscribed marking having a fixed relation to a predetermined portion of the gemstone; (c) an r for recording an image of the microinscribed marking and the predetermined portion of the gemstone, having sufficient resolution and scope to record a relationship of the microinscribed marking to the predetermined portion; (d) a storage medium, receiving and digitally storing information from the recorded image. view more

A diamond having a microinscribed marking comprising a plurality of laser generated graphitized spots on a polished surface of the diamond, each spot having a depth of less than about 10 microns and having a width of less than about 9 microns, wherein a positional accuracy of placement of each of the graphitized spots to form the marking is within about ±1 micron. view more

A diamond having a microinscribed marking comprising a plurality of laser generated graphitized spots on a brutted surface of the diamond, each spot having a depth of less than about 10 microns and having a width of less than about 12 microns, wherein a positional accuracy of placement of each of the graphitized spots to form the marking is within about ±1 micron. view more

A diamond, having a microinscribed marking comprising a plurality of laser generated graphitized spots on a polished surface of the diamond, each spot having a depth of less than about 10 microns and having a width of less than about 9 microns, wherein a positional repeatability of each of the graphitized spots in forming the marking is within about 1.0 micron. view more

A diamond, having a microinscribed marking comprising a plurality of laser generated graphitized spots on a brutted surface of the diamond, each spot having a depth of less than about 10 microns and having a width of less than about 12 microns, wherein a positional repeatability of each of the graphitized spots in forming the marking is within about 1.0 micron. view more