According to the American scientist Michael Williams, a new method has been developed by geologists at the American University of Massachusetts , which can help determining the age of stone with more efficiency. The probe provides access to detailed geological record to an accuracy up to two million years.

With this new electronic microprobe the entire life-span of a stone can be studied. Now one can know not only when and where a stone was created but also when it was buried, deformed, heated, melted and rose to the surface of the earth. This is crucial for geological study.