Grading cosmetic appearance of a test object

An apparatus, comprising:

• a dome-shaped component configured to enclose at least a portion of an item to be imaged, the dome-shaped component having a top side and a bottom side, wherein a first opening is configured on the top side, a second opening having alignment with the first opening and is configured on the bottom side, and a size of the first opening and a size of the second opening have a same size;
• a movable platform configured to receive the item, position the item within the dome-shaped component, and rotate the item in a plurality of orientations;
• at least one sensor configured to determine when the item is placed on the movable platform;
• a plurality of lights positioned outside of the dome-shaped component and operable to provide illumination to an interior of the dome-shaped component through the dome-shaped component;
• and
• at least one camera positioned in accordance with the determination by the at least one sensor and outside of the dome-shaped component to capture images of the item positioned within the dome-shaped component and in the plurality of orientations.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a dome-shaped component configured to enclose at least a portion of an item to be imaged, the dome-shaped component having a top side and a bottom side, wherein a first opening is configured on the top side to provide a first window for imaging the item positioned within the dome-shaped component, a second opening having alignment with the first opening and is configured on the bottom side to allow the item to enter the dome-shaped component, and a third opening is configured on the dome-shaped component in a mid-plane between the first opening and the second opening to provide a second window for imaging the item positioned within the dome-shaped component;
• a movable platform configured to receive the item, position the item within the dome-shaped component, and rotate the item in a plurality of orientations;
• at least one sensor configured to determine when the item is placed on the movable platform and where the movable platform is disposed relative to at least one camera to facilitate orientation of the item for the at least one camera;
• a plurality of lights positioned outside of the dome-shaped component and operable to provide illumination to an interior of the dome-shaped component through the dome-shaped component;
• and
• the at least one camera positioned in accordance with the determination by the at least one sensor and outside of the dome-shaped component to capture images of the item positioned within the dome-shaped component and in the plurality of orientations.