US20040008888A1 - Method for marking gemstones with a unique micro discrete indicia - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for providing and reading micro-discrete indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/027,016, filed Dec. 21, 2001, entitled METHOD FOR MARKING GEMSTONES WITH A UNIQUE MICRO DISCRETE INDICIA, in the names of David L. Patton, et al.[0001]
• Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending applications U.S. Ser. No. [Attorney Docket 83,891BF-P] entitled METHOD FOR MARKING GEMSTONES WITH A UNIQUE MICRO DISCRETE INDICIA, in the names of David L. Patton, et al filed concurrently herewith.[0002]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates a method and system for forming unique micro discrete indicia on a gemstone such as a diamond using near-field optical imaging.[0003]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Recent advances in optics provide for a method of exposure of materials on a length scale much smaller than previously realized. Such near-field optical methods are realized by placing an aperture or a lens in close proximity to the surface of the sample or material to be exposed. Special methods for positioning control of the aperture or lens are required, as the distance between the optical elements (aperture or lens) is extremely small. Betzig and Trautman in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,330 reported on the use of tapered optical fibers as a means of providing exposures in extremely small areas; exposures of the size of 10 nm in area are now relatively commonplace. In this case, the fiber tip position is maintained to be within some nanometers (typically 10-50) of the target surface. Others (see, for example, the review by Q. Wu, L. Ghislain, and V. B. Elings, Proc. IEEE (2000), 88(9), pg. 1491-1498) have developed means of exposure by the use of the solid immersion lens (SIL). Exposures produced by means of the SIL or other near-field optical methods can be much smaller in spatial extent than those produced by conventional optical systems and still be readable.[0004]
• Optical means to mark diamonds and other gemstones have been previously described. Kaplan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,484 B1 describe the use of a pulsed laser system and precision mechanical positioning controls to mark gemstones and a process to produce a secure certificate of authenticity. The laser in this instance operates with an approximate wavelength of 530 nanometers. This system achieves a positioning accuracy of about plus or minus a micron. The laser exposure produces a series of ablated or graphitic spots on the gemstone surface.[0005]
• Smith et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,213 B1 describe the use of an ultraviolet (UV) laser system for marking diamond. The use of the 193 nanometers exposure with conventional optical elements produces a mark that is invisible because of its small size when viewed using an ×10 loupe.[0006]
• In U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,887, Rosenwasser et al. describe the use of a laser system for engraving indicia on gemstones. Their invention entails the use of a gemstone holding system that minimizes internal exposure and thus damage to the internal structure of the gemstone. This minimization is accomplished by use of light transmissive elements to hold and position the gemstone. Such minimization is especially important in the application of novelty marking of larger gemstones where some considerable optical exposure is required in order to mark the gemstone.[0007]
• The prior art does not teach marking a gemstone using near-field optics. Such near-field technology is used in the present invention to provide a means of marking a gemstone with micro discrete indicia and to use these micro discrete indicia for the purpose of authentication and personalization. The size of the micro discrete indicia produced using near-field technology is such that they do detract from the physical appearance of the gemstone.[0008]
• The prior art does not teach the forming of the micro discrete indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics to alter the color of gemstone materials.[0009]
• The prior art also does not teach linking the micro discrete indicia produced using near-field optics to an owner, retailer, or producer via a database for the purpose of authentication.[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for reading a micro-discrete indicia on a gemstone, comprising the steps of:[0011]
• locating said micro-discrete indicia on said gemstone; and[0012]
• reading said micro-discrete indicia using near-field optics.[0013]
• This and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:[0015]
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for forming the various indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics;[0016]
• FIGS. 2[0017]a, b,andcare schematics illustrating different surfaces on a gemstone, onto which the indicia may be formed using near-field optics;
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a gemstone made in accordance with the present invention containing unique micro discrete indicia;[0018]
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of a portion of the gemstone of FIG. 3 illustrating micro discrete indicia;[0019]
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment the apparatus for forming the various indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics made in accordance with the present invention;[0020]
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment the apparatus for forming the various indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics made in accordance with the present invention;[0021]
• FIG. 7[0022]ais a schematic illustrating a method for locating the indicia on a gemstone described in FIG. 4 made in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 7[0023]bis an enlarged partial view of a portion of the gemstone of FIG. 7awhere the indicia are provided;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an apparatus used for viewing the micro discrete indicia located on the gemstone described in FIG. 4; and[0024]
• FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of the image of the micro discrete indicia located on the gemstone displayed by the apparatus described in FIG. 8.[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.[0026]
• Because of their high value, diamonds and other gemstones are frequently marked for purposes of authentication. Additionally, diamonds and other gemstones are marked for personalization, decorative, or novelty reasons. It is important that such markings do not detract from the appearance of the finished diamond or gemstone. In the authentication of such gemstones, indicia or other markings should not be visible to the purchaser under ordinary use conditions so as to preclude detracting from the finished appearance. For purposes of personalization, novelty, or decoration, such markings should be made with extreme precision, while the desirability for making such markings visible under ordinary use conditions may or may not be a requirement. In either of these situations, the use of near-field optical methods for marking is advantageous since the resolution is higher than conventional means of optical exposure. This enables either a more precise exposure or the production of indicia that are smaller than that produced by conventional means of optical exposure. The invention provides a method and system for marking each gemstone with a unique identification number that is recorded in a data record so it can be used to track the heritage and ownership of the gemstone. The unique identification number can be assigned or registered to an owner, retailer, producer, country of origin, mine, etc.[0027]
• The method comprises a system for the creation of unique micro discrete indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics. the gemstone may be a diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, opal etc. The micro discrete indicia can be an alphanumeric, a logo, a symbol, a design, etc. The size of each micro discrete indicium is in the range of 2 to 20 microns. The method of identifying the gemstone using the unique micro discrete indicia includes locating and scanning or optically viewing the gemstone and viewing the micro discrete indicia. The obtained micro discrete indicia may be used for a variety of purposes. For example, the identification indicia can be used to identify a particular gemstone on which it is formed. Alternatively, the micro discrete indicia is well suited for authentication of the gemstone. For example, the gemstone is genuine and/or comes from a particular source. Finally, the method may be used for purposes of personalization, ornamentation, decorative, or novelty reasons.[0028]
• Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an[0029]apparatus10 for forming unique microdiscrete indicia15 on agemstone20 such as a diamond.Indicia15 are created on thegemstone20 by transmitting light from alight source45 through amask25 containing animage27. Thelight beam40 from a variety oflaser light sources45 such as an Excimer, or a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser passes through themask27 and is reflected by amirror50, through alens system55 and passes through an objective lens66 of conventional design and impinges onto a solid immersion lens (SIL)65. Thegemstone20 resting on astage70 is placed within a critical distance f. Images formed from such a system will have a lateral spatial resolution that exceeds the classical diffraction limit as is well known to those skilled in the art. Thelight beam75 passes through anobjective lens60 of conventional design and impinges onto a solid immersion lens (SIL)65. TheSIL65 is positioned within the near-field coupling limit appropriate for the particular lens in use by the use of apositioning device80. U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,256, Corle et al. discloses a method for positioning an SIL using an interferometer constructed between the SIL and the sample. A laser can be used to set up standing waves between the bottom surface of the SIL and the top surface of the sample. In one configuration the laser can be brought into the system through a beam splitter in such a way as to produce plane waves in the region between the bottom of the SIL and the top of the sample. There will be interference between the laser light reflected from the bottom of the SIL and the top of the sample. A path difference of a quarter of a wavelength (λ/4) will cause the interference pattern to change from bright to dark so that controlling the distance between the SIL and the sample to a few nanometers is achieved by sensing the reflected light with a photodiode or the like and using the output as the input to a control system. A number of physical mechanisms play a role in the marking of a diamond or gemstone. Included among these is light-induced ablation of the gemstone material as a result of the rapid deposition of energy from the laser light beam. In some instances a light absorbing material is coated on the diamond or gemstone surface to facilitate direct absorption of the light beam energy. Subsequent conversion of the absorbed energy to heat causes material to be ablated from the near-surface region. Colored gemstones in most instances do not require this surface coating to be applied. It is also possible to alter the color of gemstone materials as a result of the laser light beam affecting the defect concentration in the gemstone or diamond material. It is known to those skilled in the defect physics of such materials that either through direct light absorption into existing defect optical absorption bands or through multi-photon absorption processes, color center can be produced in these materials. The presence of these color centers as a result of the action of the laser light write beam can be determined by a variety of optical methods including absorption or luminescence measurement. Thestage70 is located on an x, y, z, andθ translation device90. Alternatively there are many other known translation devices for positioning thestage70 in the art such as nano or micro positioning techniques. Theimage27 used to form the microdiscrete indicia15 can be an alphanumeric or a symbol such as a logo. If an alphanumeric is used as the micro image, this can also be used as a serial number and/or code for use in further authenticating the gemstone or providing additional information directly from the alphanumeric or be used to look up information from a database.
• Referring to FIGS. 2[0030]a, b,andc,there are illustrated the different surfaces on which the indicia may be formed using near-field optics.
• Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a plan view of the[0031]gemstone20 containing the microdiscrete indicia15 shown in an enlarged plan view in FIG. 4. Preferably the length “d” of theindicia15 is no greater than approximately 10 microns and a height “h” is no greater than approximately 2 microns. Theindicia20 can be of such a size that can be read using near-field optical imaging when placed on the gemstone but not detract from the original appearance as viewed under normal viewing conditions.
• Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another embodiment of the apparatus for forming the various indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics made in accordance with the present invention.[0032]Indicia15 are created on thegemstone20 by transmitting light from alaser100. Thelaser light beam110 is reflected by amirror105, through alens system55 and passes through anobjective lens60 of conventional design and impinges onto a solid immersion lens (SIL)65. Thegemstone20 resting on astage70 is placed within a critical distance f. TheSIL65 is positioned within the near-field coupling limit appropriate for the particular lens in use by the use of apositioning device80. Such a positioning device could be a flying head as is used in hard disk storage devices. Thestage70 is located on an x, y, z, andθ translation device90. Alternately there are many known in the art as nano or micro positioning technologies. Thelaser light beam110 is used to form theimage27 of the microdiscrete indicia15 as shown in FIG. 7.
• Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of the apparatus for forming the various indicia on a gemstone using near-field optics made in accordance with the present invention.[0033]Indicia15 are created on thegemstone20 by transmitting light from alaser100. Thelaser light beam110 is reflected by amirror105, through alens system55 and passes through a taperedoptical fiber115. Thegemstone20 resting on astage70 is placed within a critical distance f. The taperedoptical fiber115 is positioned within a critical distance f; images formed from such a system will have a lateral spatial resolution that exceeds the classical diffraction limit as is well known to those skilled in the art. The taperedoptical fiber115 is positioned within the near-field coupling limit appropriate for the particular tapered optical fiber in use by the use of apositioning device80. A method for the positioning of such tapered optical fibers includes the measurement of mechanical damping forces as a result of interaction of the fiber tip with the surface of the sample material. This interaction causes a shift of the mechanical resonance frequency for the tip if it is vibrated upon approach towards the surface. As was previously described in FIG. 1, but is done one point at a time. Such a positioning device could be a flying head as is used in hard disk storage devices. Thestage70 is located on an x, y, z, andθ translation device90. Thelaser light beam110 is used to form theimage27 of the microdiscrete indicia15 as shown in FIG. 4.
• Referring now to FIGS. 7[0034]aand7b,there is illustrated a method for locating the microdiscrete indicia15 on the surface of thegemstone20. For each producer of gemstones a unique set of the coordinates (x₁, y₁) for the location of the microdiscrete indicia15 can be specified. Using these coordinates the producer's unique microdiscrete indicia15 can be located from a designatedfeature128 such as a facet whose location is (x₀, y₀) or if polar coordinates are used is (r₀, θ₀). In another embodiment the coordinates (x₁, y₁) or (r₁, θ₁) for the location of the microdiscrete indicia15 or can be specified on a document of authenticity (not shown), which can accompany eachgemstone20. The location (x₁, y₁) or (r₁, θ₁) of theindicia15 can be given from the designatedfeature128 such as a facet whose location is (x₀, y₀) or if polar coordinates are used is (r₀, θ₀). In yet another embodiment of the present invention, theindicia15 can be located by repeatedly forming theindicia15 using the near-field apparatus10 creating a set ofindicia125. The set ofindicia125 forms a mark having a length “1” and height “s”, which is visible through a normal optical microscope (not shown) and can be located using the normal optical microscope. The length “1” and height “s” can be of a range of between 0.02 millimeters to 0.1 millimeter depending on the magnification of the viewing microscope or viewing eye loop used. After the set ofindicia125 has been located, the near-field optical apparatus200 (described in FIG. 8) is used to read the individual microdiscrete indicia15, which by itself is not readable unless view through the near-field apparatus200.
• Once it has been determined that[0035]indicia15 is present, referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated theapparatus200 for locating and viewing theindicia15 formed on thegemstone20. Theindicia15 on thegemstone20 can be viewed using magnifyingimaging device200 or used to capture an image of theindicia15. Alight beam202 from alight source204 reflects from abeam splitter206 and passes through anobjective lens208 of conventional design and impinges onto a solid immersion lens (SIL)210. Thegemstone20 resting on astage212 is placed within a critical distance f. TheSIL210 is positioned within the near-field coupling limit appropriate for the particular lens in use by the use of apositioning device220. Such a positioning device could be a flying head as is used in hard disk storage devices. Thelight beam202 is reflected from thegemstone20, passes through theSIL210, theobjective lens208, and thebeam splitter206, imaging theindicia15 onto asensor226 by alens system224. Thestage212 is located on an x, y, z, andθ translation device228. The x, y, z, andθ translation device228 is and connected to thescanner224 by a logic, control andmemory unit230.
• Referring now to FIG. 9, an enlarged partial view of the[0036]image232 of theindicia15 captured by thedevice200 is shown. Using theimaging device200, the image of theindicia15 on thegemstone20 is displayed for viewing for authentication and identification purposes. The size of theindicia15 is such that theindicia15 can appear on one or more surfaces of thegemstone20 as shown in FIGS. 2a, b,andc.Theindicia15 formed on thegemstone20 are of a size such that they are not visually discernable on thegemstone20 with the unaided eye under normal viewing conditions or detract from the overall original appearance of thegemstone20. As previously discussed, the size is preferably no greater than about 20 microns, and is generally in the range of about 2 to 20 microns. In situations where the micro discrete indicia is used for the purpose of personalization, ornamentation, decorative, or novelty the size of the micro discrete indicia may be made as large as deemed appropriate. The size of the micro discrete indicia for personalization or ornamentation may be but is not limited to a size range of 0.1 millimeters or larger. The size can be such that it can be viewed by the user with an unaided eye or with the use of a low power loop.
• The method comprises creation of the unique micro[0037]discrete indicia15 using theapparatus10 as described in FIG. 1. The uniquediscrete indicia15 represents a unique identification number assigned or registered to an individual or business which directly links the individual or business such as a retailer, producer, country of origin, or mine to thegemstone20. The uniquediscrete indicia15 are formed on thegemstone20 using near-field optics. The unique identification number is then stored in a table as shown in Table 1 on a database and linked with information such as carat, clarity, cut, color etc describing the gemstone, the information describing the owner, retailer, producer, country of origin, and/or mine along with the exact location on thegemstone20 of the microdiscrete indicia15. The location of the micro discrete indicia can be the given for a specific gemstone cut such as a marquis, baguette, solitaire, etc. The location of the micro discrete indicia can be also be designated by the owner, retailer, producer, country of origin, and/or mine as described in FIGS. 7aand7b.To determine the authenticity of thegemstone20 the unique identification number is obtained by scanning the uniquediscrete indicia15 on thegemstone20 using the near-fieldoptical imaging apparatus200 as described in FIGS. 8 and 9. The unique identification number is looked up on the table located in the database and the associated information is retrieved. The owner, insurance company, retailer, law enforcement, producer, gem cutters and or mine can use the unique identification number and the database to identify a particular gemstone as to where the gemstone was mined, cut, who produced the gemstone, who sold the gemstone and who bought or owns the gemstone and to insure the gemstone is authentic. As can be seen from the foregoing the providing of micro discrete indicia on gemstones made in accordance with the present invention provides a method for allowing independent verification of the authenticity and/or the source of a gemstone directly from the gemstone, and also provides a mechanism for personalization, novelty, or decoration of such products. The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

  TABLE 1
  		Country of
  	Type of	Origin
  ID Number	Gemstone	Mine	Producer	Cuter	Retailer	Owner	Description
  A12345678	Diamond	Botswana	DeBeers	Diamond	Patton's Fine	John	Carat = 2
  		Debswana		Factory	Jewelry	Spoonhower	Cut = Baguette
  		Mining		Amsterdam	12 First Street	34 Park Avenue	Color = E
  		Company			Webster, NY	Rochester, NY	Clarity = VVS
  					14580
  8959R3652	Emerald	Colombia	Gem Labs	Gem Labs	Patton's Fine	Juliana McClain	Carat = 1.07
  		Coscuez Mines			Jewelry	8 Central Park W.	7.0 × 5.0 mm
  					12 First St.	New York, NY	Emerald Cut
  					Webster, NY		Strong Strongly
  					14580		Bluish Green
  							Slightly
  							Included

• It is to be understood that various changes and modifications made be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, the present invention being defined by the claims that follow.[0038]
Parts List
• [0039]10 apparatus
• [0040]15 unique micro discrete indicia
• [0041]20 gemstone
• [0042]25 mask
• [0043]27 image
• [0044]40 light beam
• [0045]45 light source
• [0046]50 mirror
• [0047]55 lens system
• [0048]65 solid immersion lens (SIL)
• [0049]66 objective lens
• [0050]70 stage
• [0051]75 light beam
• [0052]80 positioning device
• [0053]90 translation device
• [0054]100 laser
• [0055]105 mirror
• [0056]110 laser light beam
• [0057]115 tapered optical fiber
• [0058]125 set of indicia
• [0059]128 facet
• [0060]200 apparatus
• [0061]202 light beam
• [0062]204 light source
• [0063]206 beam splitter
• [0064]208 objective lens
• [0065]210 solid immersion lens (SIL)
• [0066]212 stage
• [0067]224 lens system
• [0068]226 sensor
• [0069]228 translation device
• [0070]230 logic and memory
• [0071]232 image

Claims (8)

What is claimed is:

1. A method for reading a micro-discrete indicia on a gemstone, comprising the steps of:

locating said micro-discrete indicia on said gemstone; and

reading said micro-discrete indicia using near-field optics.

2. A method according toclaim 1 wherein said micro-discrete indicia is located initially located using an eye-loop and/or a microscope.

3. A method according toclaim 2 wherein said micro-discrete indicia is located by using predetermined coordinates associated with the characteristics of said gemstone.

4. A method according toclaim 3 where a document is provided that designates the appropriate coordinates of the micro-discrete indicia of said gemstone.

5. A method according toclaim 4 wherein said characteristics of said gemstone is selected from one of the following:

size, type of gemstone, facet, manufacturer, retailer, and/or owner.

6. A method according toclaim 1 wherein said micro-discrete indicia is used for authenticating an occasion of said gemstone.

7. A method according toclaim 6 wherein said authentication identifies the manufacturer, owner, retailer, quality, and/or type of gemstone.

8. A method according toclaim 1 wherein said locating of said indicia on said gemstone is provided by scanning said gemstone.

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