Diamond and colored gemstone photography

I have worked as a gemstone photographer and with the Jewelry and Gemstone Industry since 1981. During this time I have developed and built several special lighting set-ups. These set-ups produced spectacular photographs of gemstones, but diamonds and colored gemstones photography remains a challenging subject matter. Positioning of lighting, gemstone and camera is critical to the production of an outstanding photograph. Even in the digital age color balance and exposure must be exact. Photoshop can then be used to enhance the image rather then salvage the image. When you add the need for strong photographic composition and advertising impact to these already exacting technical requirements, colored gemstones and diamonds remain one of the most difficult subjects to photograph.