Identification Screen
GemID's main workspace for gemstone identification by physical properties.
The identification screen is GemID's main workspace. On the left (or top on mobile) is the Input Panel — 15 collapsible measurement sections covering every standard gemological test. On the right (or bottom on mobile) is the Results Panel — a live candidate list drawn from GemID's database of 130 gem species and varieties.
As you enter measurements, the candidate list narrows in real time. You don't need to fill in every section — in most cases, 3 to 4 well-chosen measurements are enough to narrow the field to 1 to 3 candidates. The app tells you which test to run next based on what would eliminate the most remaining candidates.
Screen Layout
The screen is divided into three persistent areas, with a tab bar that appears on narrow (mobile) screens.
| Area | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Top toolbar | GemID logo, mode toggle (Expert / Wizard), reset button, account icon |
| Input Panel (left / top) | 15 collapsible section headers; enter measurements and observations here |
| Results Panel (right / bottom) | Summary bar showing observations and candidate count, Next Test chip, scrollable candidate list |
| Tabs (mobile only) | "Inputs" tab and "Results" tab — tap or swipe to switch between panels |
On tablets and desktops, both panels are visible side by side. On phones, the tab bar appears at the bottom so you can move between entering data and checking results.
The Orange Dot
Next Test Indicator
The blinking orange dot appears on the section header that GemID calculates will be the most useful next measurement given your current inputs. It identifies which test would eliminate the largest number of remaining candidates.
The orange dot is a recommendation, not a requirement. You can open any section in any order — the dot simply surfaces the highest-value next step so you don't have to think about test sequencing.
- As you add more data, the dot recalculates and moves to the next best section.
- The Next Test chip in the Results panel shows the same recommendation as a text label. Tapping it scrolls the Input Panel directly to that section and expands it.
- If your candidate list is already narrow (3 or fewer), the dot may point to a confirmatory measurement rather than an elimination test.
Input Panel
The Input Panel contains all 15 measurement sections as a collapsible accordion. All sections start collapsed when you begin a new session.
- Tap a section header to expand it and reveal its fields.
- A filled teal dot on a section header means you have already entered data in that section.
- A blinking orange dot on a section header means GemID recommends opening it next.
- Sections with no data and no recommendation show no dot.
- To clear all data in a section, expand it and tap the Clear button at the bottom of that section's fields.
Tip: You don't have to follow the orange dot. If you already have your refractometer in hand, go straight to the Refractometer section — the app adapts to whatever data you enter first.
For a complete reference to every field in every section, see Input Sections.
Results Panel
The Results panel updates in real time as you enter data. It has four key elements.
Summary Bar
Shows "X observations entered" on the left and "Y of 130 gems remaining" on the right. The candidate count badge changes color as you narrow the field: teal for 11 or more remaining, amber for 10 or fewer, green for 3 or fewer. A progress bar below shows what percentage of the database has been eliminated.
Next Test Chip
A brand-colored chip at the top of the candidate list showing the recommended next measurement as a text label. Tapping the chip scrolls the Input Panel to that section and expands it automatically — no manual searching required.
Candidate List
A scrollable list of all gem species still consistent with your entered measurements. Each row shows the gem name and a brief match summary. Tap any candidate to open its full property card, where you can see how your measurements compare against that gem's known ranges for RI, SG, birefringence, and other properties.
Eliminated Button
Shows "N gems eliminated" below the candidate list. Tapping it opens a bottom sheet listing every eliminated gem and which measurement ruled it out. This is useful for verifying the logic and understanding why a gem you expected to see is no longer in the candidate list.
Set stone warning: If you check "In setting" in the Density / SG section, a warning banner appears in the Results panel indicating that SG is unreliable for mounted stones and has been deprioritized in the filtering logic.
Expert Mode vs. Guided Wizard
Two modes are available. You can switch between them at any time from the toolbar — your entered data is preserved when you switch.
Expert Mode
All 15 sections are visible as an accordion. Open any section in any order. The orange dot guides you to the next highest-value test, but you retain full control over sequence.
Best for gemologists and experienced users who know what equipment they have available and want to drive the workflow themselves.
This is the default mode.
Guided Wizard
GemID presents one question at a time. You answer, and the app decides what to ask next. No need to know which section to open or which test to run.
Best for students, hobbyists, or anyone who is learning gemological testing and wants a structured workflow.
Switch to it via the wand icon in the top toolbar. See Guided Wizard for full documentation.
Resetting a Session
Tap the reset icon (circular arrow) in the top toolbar to clear all entered measurements from the current session.
- A confirmation dialog appears before any data is cleared.
- Resetting clears the current working session only — it does not delete any previously saved sessions.
- If you want to preserve your current work before starting fresh, tap Save first. Saving requires a Hobbyist or Pro plan, or an active 7-day trial.
- After a reset, the candidate list returns to all 130 gems and all section headers return to their collapsed, empty state.
Specimen Context
At the top of the Input Panel, above the accordion sections, is the Specimen Context area. Set this first before entering measurements — it affects how certain data is weighted.
- Faceted vs. rough: Indicates whether the stone is cut or uncut. Some tests (refractometer, facet doubling) require a polished surface.
- Mounted / in setting: Toggle this on if the stone is set in metal. This triggers a warning on the SG section and deprioritizes specific gravity in the filtering logic, since accurate hydrostatic weighing requires a loose stone.
- Photo upload: Attach a reference photo to the session. Photos are stored locally on the device or in Firestore when signed in. Photos are for your records — they are not used in the identification algorithm.
Note: Setting the "in setting" toggle does not disable the SG section entirely — you can still enter a value and GemID will use it as a soft signal. The warning is a reminder that the measurement may have lower accuracy.