Name: Adamas Advantage Gem Identification Quiz Kit for MS-Windows, ver. 1.0
Reviewed: August 14, 1996
Function: Gemstone information, test your knowledge, learning tool
Users: Anyone interested in gemstones and their properties,
GIA students, Appriasers, Gem Labs, Teachers
Pros: Multi level questions from novice to expert, can generate over one
million True/False or multiple choice questions, well worth the price!
Cons: Limited written documentation, no 800 support number,
not available for the Mac systems, sorry
Equipment: 386 CPU or better, 3.5" Drive, MS-Windows 3.x
Price: $69.95 plus $3.00 S/H, NY residents must include 8% sales tax
Purchase from: Mine Design, PO Box 248, Clarence, NY 14031, 716-634-9400
We accept Checks, American Express, Visa and Master Card
Lance Kanaby at lkanaby@buffnet.net
Review:
The only gemological testing tool available for the serious or beginning gemologist. Over 1,000,000 different questions can be generated to test your knowledge on gemological properties and concepts. The Adamas Advantage Gem Identification Kit for MS-Windows constructs questions on over 520 gemstone and mineral varieties, testing your knowledge on specific properties such as Specific Gravity, Hardness, Refractive Indices, Birefringence, Pleochroism, Dispersion and Dispersion Strength, Optic Character, Optic Sign, Transparency, Phenomena, Fracture, Luster, Color, Crystal System, Crystal Class, Long and Short Wave Fluorescence, Streak Color, primary Spectral Characteristics and Gemstone Cutting Styles. Pictorial hints are given for some of the question categories. Answers include comments and page cross references to gemological texts.
Conclusion:
The Adamas Advantage Gem Identification Quiz Kit for MS-Windows is mainly geared towards those in the Gemstone Industry and the serious student of gemology. I found the program to be very informative, fun and well worth the price. The questions are not always as simple as one would think, you may need to get your reference books out. I wish that this program was available many years ago to help me and others learn gemology. The author, Martin Haske, says that there will be future versions soon, due out October/November 1996, that will include minerals too.
The author, Martin Haske, has given permission to GemData to use his software to generate questions for GemData's Monthly Gem Quiz. This has raised the level of gem related questions by a factor of many times. When the mineral side of the Adamas Advantage Gem Quiz is added later this year it will appeal to an even greater audience. I would hope that by now that you are getting the picture that I REALLY LIKE this program!