Join us for an intensive 1-day training on the world of Gemstones!
* Please note that no jewellery pieces are made in this class. This is an educational session with lots of practical, hands-on experience referencing a selection of gemstones provided for the day.*
This course is a fun and intensive introduction to the world of gemstones led by our expert Tutor who will guide you through the main areas of identifying different stones, realising their properties so that you can then be confident in using them in your own work or in buying from others.
Throughout the day all students will look at our range of carefully selected gemstones, discover what they are called, how they are normally used, what their properties are and how to find out further information if you need to.
Gemology is a huge subject, which can be studied for years but this class is a practical, hands-on look at the basics for jewellers or buyers which will make working with gemstones and picking the right ones a much more manageable task.
This is a great class for anyone using precious or semi-precious stones or beads in their work!
Course Structure and Content:
- Historical overview with the birth of gemmology – what is a gem vs a mineral, deposits and brief geology – etymology
- Crystal systems and Gem Group classification incorporating:
- Hardness and Durability
- Colour
- Lapidary (Cut and Windows etc)
- Luster
- Methods of ID (RI, TIR, SG, Spectroscope etc)
- Practical identification of gemstones
- Precious vs semi precious – using a Dichroscope for identification
- 4C’S (carat, colour, clarity and cut). Looking at synthetics and enhancements and treatments (practical identification)
- Cleaning and Handling of gemstones
- Visit to A E Wards (only applicable to weekday course dates as A E Wards is closed on the weekends)
This is a great an informative day for jewellers - not to be missed!
General Info:
As with all of our classes, all materials are included in the cost of the class as well as plenty of tea coffee and luxury biscuits! The classes are all run by expert tutors with years of professional experience who are friendly, knowledgeable and approachable. The size of the classes is kept small to allow plenty of one-on-one attention and the maximum number of students for this class is 8.
We take an hour break for lunch and there are plenty of local shops to get food from, or you can always bring a packed lunch to eat in the studio. If you have any questions regarding this, or other courses please don't hesitate to get in touch.
These can then be incorporated into new designs at home.
