Guided Wizard
The Guided Wizard walks you through gemstone identification one question at a time. Instead of choosing which input section to open, GemID asks you questions in an optimized order. You answer with taps — no need to decide what test to run next.
Switching to Wizard Mode
There are two ways to enter Wizard Mode:
- Tap the wand icon in the top toolbar (next to the reset button)
- Tap "Guided" in the mode toggle at the top of the input panel
Your data carries over when you switch. Any measurements already entered in Expert Mode are preserved in Wizard Mode and continue to filter the candidate list.
To switch back to Expert Mode, tap the grid icon in the toolbar, or tap "Expert" in the mode toggle.
Data is shared between modes. Switching back and forth does not clear your session. You can start in Wizard, answer several questions, switch to Expert to enter a dichroscope observation, then switch back to Wizard — and nothing is lost.
How Wizard Mode Works
Wizard Mode replaces the accordion input panel with a single-question interface. GemID shows one question at a time with answer chips or a numeric field. The Results panel remains visible and updates in real time as you answer.
Color
GemID asks: "What color does the stone appear to be?" Tap one or more color chips. You can select multiple colors for stones that show strong pleochroism or color zoning.
Transparency
Next question: how does light pass through the stone? Tap one: Transparent, Translucent, or Opaque.
Luster
Select the luster type you observe: Adamantine, Vitreous (glassy), Resinous, Silky, Waxy, Pearly, or Metallic.
Refractive Index
Numeric field with keypad. If you have a refractometer reading, enter it here. If you don't have a refractometer or the stone is a cabochon, tap Skip.
Continue through the sequence
GemID continues with Specific Gravity, Optic Character, UV Fluorescence, and further tests. The Results panel narrows with each answer. Watch the candidate count badge in the top right of the results panel — it will turn amber when you're under 10 candidates, and green when you're under 3.
Tap to confirm
When the candidate list is narrow enough for a confident match, tap the candidate row to open its full detail card and verify your measurements against the gem's known property ranges.
The Question Sequence
Questions are ordered to eliminate the most candidates as early as possible. The sequence is fixed in Wizard Mode (unlike Expert Mode, where the Next Test chip adapts dynamically to what you've entered).
| # | Question | Input type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Color — what color does the stone appear to be? | Chip selector (multi-select) |
| 2 | Transparency — transparent, translucent, or opaque? | Chip selector (single) |
| 3 | Luster — what luster type does the stone show? | Chip selector (single) |
| 4 | Refractive Index — enter your refractometer reading | Numeric field |
| 5 | Specific Gravity — enter your hydrostatic or heavy liquid result | Numeric field |
| 6 | Optic Character — singly refractive or doubly refractive? | Chip selector (single) |
| 7 | UV Fluorescence — longwave and shortwave reaction | Chip selector (per lamp) |
| 8 | Special Phenomena — color change, asterism, chatoyancy? | Chip selector (multi-select) |
| 9 | Chelsea Filter — what color does the stone show under the filter? | Chip selector (single) |
| 10+ | Further tests — additional observations as candidates remain | Varies |
Skip and Back
Every question in Wizard Mode has two navigation controls:
Skip
Move to the next question without answering the current one. The property stays blank and is not used for filtering. Use Skip when you don't have the equipment for a test, or when the stone is awkward to measure (e.g., a mounted stone for SG).
Back
Return to the previous question to change your answer. Back steps one question at a time. You can go back as many times as needed — no limit.
Skipping has no penalty. A skipped question simply means that property contributes nothing to filtering. The rest of your answers continue to apply. It is always better to skip than to guess an answer you're not confident about.
Results in Wizard Mode
The Results panel functions identically in Wizard Mode and Expert Mode. The candidate list updates in real time, the summary bar shows the remaining gem count, and you can tap any candidate at any point to open its detail card.
The one difference from Expert Mode: the Next Test chip is not shown in Wizard Mode, because Wizard handles the sequencing automatically. Once you see a candidate you want to inspect, you don't need to wait until the end of the question sequence — tap it immediately.
Wizard Mode and Expert Mode share the same data. If you start in Wizard and want to enter a measurement that wasn't asked — for example, specific dichroscope observations, spot RI, or absorption spectrum notes — switch to Expert Mode at any time. All data entered in Wizard carries over immediately.