Viewing apparatus for viewing a surface of a gemstone comprises an adjustable platform with a surface adapted to receive the gemstone, a viewing axis along which the gemstone is viewed, and a light source adapted to emit light substantially parallel to the viewing axis, the viewing apparatus characterised by: an alignment means comprising a plurality of misalignment indicators, the misalignment indicators arranged to provide three or more visually distinguishable zones around the viewing axis, the alignment means further comprising three or more adjustment indicators positioned relative to the platform and the misalignment indicators, wherein the adjustment indicators are associated with the visually distinguishable zones such that an image viewed along the viewing axis of one of the zones reflected off the surface of the gemstone provides an indication of which way to adjust the platform and the viewing axis relative to each other to make the surface of the gemstone and the viewing axis perpendicular to each other.