Reading Results
The Results panel updates in real time as you enter measurements. This guide explains every element — the progress bar, the candidate list, the Next Test chip, and what gem detail cards tell you.
The Summary Bar
The summary bar sits at the top of the Results panel. It gives you a quick read on how much progress you've made and how many candidates remain.
Observations counter
The left side of the bar shows how many input sections currently contain data. Every section you fill contributes to filtering — even a single color chip counts as an observation.
Gems remaining badge
The right side shows how many of GemID's 130 gems are still consistent with your measurements. The badge color changes as the list narrows:
- Teal — many candidates remain; keep measuring
- Amber — 10 or fewer candidates remain; you're getting close
- Green — 3 or fewer candidates; ready to confirm
Progress bar
The linear bar below the counts fills as more gems are eliminated. A nearly full bar means the database has been narrowed substantially. The bar is a visual aid — focus on the candidate list, not the bar percentage alone.
The Next Test Chip
Next Test chip
Appears at the top of the candidate list. Shows the name of the instrument or observation that would eliminate the most remaining candidates given your current data. Examples: Refractometer, UV Fluorescence, Specific Gravity.
Tapping the chip automatically scrolls the Input Panel to that section and expands it, so you can enter the measurement immediately.
The recommendation is calculated live by the decision engine based on which remaining candidates diverge most on each unmeasured property. It is not a fixed sequence — it adapts to whatever you've entered so far.
As you fill in measurements, the chip updates to reflect the next most informative test. Once you've entered data for every available property, the chip disappears.
You don't have to follow it. The chip is a suggestion. You can expand any input section in any order. If you don't have the equipment for the recommended test, skip it and enter what you do have.
The Candidate List
The candidate list shows every gem species in GemID's database whose known property ranges are consistent with all the measurements you've entered. The list updates within milliseconds of each input change.
What each row shows
- Gem name on the left (e.g., Ruby, Spinel, Almandine Garnet)
- Match summary on the right — how many of your entered properties fall within that gem's known ranges
Sort order
Candidates are sorted by match quality — gems whose property ranges align most closely with your measurements appear first. When all entered properties are consistent for multiple candidates, they are sorted alphabetically.
Opening a detail card
Tap any candidate row to open its gem detail card. See the section below for what's inside.
Gem Detail Cards
The gem detail card gives you the full property profile for a candidate species alongside a direct comparison to your measurements.
Property ranges
The card lists all known ranges for the species: refractive index, birefringence, specific gravity, hardness (Mohs), optic character, fluorescence (longwave and shortwave), cleavage, crystal system, and any special phenomena. Ranges reflect published gemmological references.
Measurement comparison
For each property where you've entered data, GemID shows an inline consistency indicator:
- Check mark — your measurement is within the known range for this species
- Triangle — your measurement is near the boundary of the known range; verify your reading
- No indicator — you haven't entered data for that property yet
Treatment and origin notes
Below the property table, the card lists known treatments for the species (heat, fracture filling, irradiation, etc.) and any origin notes relevant to property variation.
Natural vs. Synthetic button
If the gem species has known synthetics and you have Pro access (or an active trial), a "Test for Natural vs. Synthetic" button appears at the bottom of the card. Tap it to open the two-phase nat/syn protocol. See Nat/Syn Testing for the full walkthrough.
Reference database link
The card includes a link to the full gem page in GemID's reference database, where you'll find extended notes, photomicrographs, and origin-specific data.
Eliminated Gems
Once any gems have been ruled out by your measurements, an "N gems eliminated" link appears below the summary bar. Tap it to open the Eliminated Gems bottom sheet.
What the sheet shows
Every eliminated gem is listed with the specific reason it was removed. The reason names the property that caused the elimination and shows your measurement versus the gem's known range. Examples:
- "RI 1.762 is outside the known range for Amethyst (1.544–1.553)"
- "SG 4.00 is outside the known range for Spinel (3.52–3.57)"
- "Fluorescence: Strong red UV is inconsistent with Aquamarine (inert to weak)"
Why this matters
Reviewing the eliminated list has two practical uses. First, it lets you verify the logic — if a gem you expect to see is missing from the candidate list, you can check exactly which measurement eliminated it. Second, it helps catch data entry errors before they mislead the entire session.
Tip: If a gem you're confident about has been eliminated, tap it in the sheet to see the conflicting measurement. A mis-decimal on an RI reading (e.g., 1.76 entered as 0.176) is the most common cause of unexpected eliminations.
What "Consistent With" Means
GemID uses the phrase "consistent with measured properties" throughout the interface. This means your measurements fall within the known ranges for that gem species. It does not mean the stone is that species with certainty.
Properties can overlap between species, and all measurements carry instrument tolerance. GemID provides the most likely candidates based on your data. For stones of significant commercial value, confirmation by a qualified gemologist or an accredited laboratory is recommended.
When Candidates Don't Drop
If the candidate count isn't narrowing after multiple measurements, consider the following:
Check for data entry errors
Compare your RI reading against the RI reference chart. A transposed digit or a decimal error (1.76 vs. 1.67) is the most common reason candidates fail to drop.
Verify instrument calibration
Confirm the refractometer contact liquid is fresh and the instrument is zeroed. For specific gravity, check the scale is tared with the suspension wire in air before re-weighing in water.
Review what's been eliminated
Tap the "N gems eliminated" link. If familiar species are there, it will tell you exactly which measurement caused the conflict. This often surfaces the error quickly.
Consider simulants or uncommon species
If your measurements appear correct and candidates still won't narrow, the stone may be a simulant (glass, synthetic spinel used as imitation, etc.) or an uncommon species not yet in GemID's database. Lab referral is appropriate in this case.
Set stone warning
If you checked "In Setting" in the identification screen, GemID displays a banner warning that specific gravity measurements are unreliable for mounted stones. In this mode, SG filtering is intentionally less aggressive to avoid false eliminations. Remove the stone from its setting before taking an SG reading if possible.