Gemology Software Since 1993
Bill Wise started Gemology Tools in 1993, when there was no software for gemologists.
Where GT Pro Came From
Over the next 30 years, Bill Wise and his collaborators grew it from a quick reference of about 200 gems into a program with a gemstone database, weight estimators, the Gemstone Separator, galleries of gem and inclusion photos, spectral images and a study module.
Updates came out regularly, many prompted by users. John Koivula, John Huff, Barbra Voltaire and other photomicrographers contributed inclusion photos. By 2018 GT Pro was in use in 76 countries.
Milestones
- 1993
Bill Wise begins building Gemology Tools.
- 2001
Version 5.1 includes a Gemstone Quick Reference of 214 gems.
- 2003
Version 6 introduces the Gemstone Database and the first 350 gem photos. The Find list follows within weeks.
- 2004
The Cabochon Weight Estimator is added.
- 2005
The program becomes Gemology Tools Professional, with a Gemstone Separator that runs five times faster.
- 2006
Version 7 adds the Gemology Review, the Glossary and the Custom Piece Calculator.
- 2007
Version 8 adds more than 80 hand-drawn spectral images, which took nearly six months to draw.
- 2008
Versions 8.3 and 8.4 add new inclusion photos, prism spectra and the Specific Gravity Calculator.
- 2011
Version 9 adds magnetic response testing for gemstones.
- 2013
Version 9.2 puts magnetic response on the Separator screen, and Version 9.3 follows in August. Database updates continue for years after.
- Today
Gemology Tools Pro joins Gemlab Group. Version 10, for Mac and Windows, is in development.
The Next Chapter: Gemlab Group
Gemlab Group makes software for gem identification and analysis. Its GL Gem Spec Pro is the Mac and Windows software for the Canadian Institute of Gemmology's GL Gem Spectrometer.
Gemlab Group acquired Gemology Tools Professional and is now developing Version 10, which will run on both Mac and Windows.
