Gem and Jewellery Trade Secrets

Course details

Explore a variety of gemmological subjects such as gemstone classification, identification of gemstones and how professionals value and document these rare materials. The programme introduces common industry terms and accurate loupe-handling and observation skills and allows you to witness, handle and differentiate many imitations and compare them to their natural counterparts. Explore the worlds of precious metals and appreciate jewellery manufacturing methods and how gemstones are securely set into jewellery.

Course Outline

• GM101 Coloured Gems - The Earth’s Natural Wonders: Learn about a variety of beautiful natural minerals and how gemologists analyze and classify them. The flow from mine-to-market is understood together with common gem cutting practices.
• GM102 Factors Affecting the Value of Gems: Unlike diamonds, the 4 C’s are weighted differently when applied to coloured gems. Learn methods for evaluating colour in gems and how different clarity types are assessed. See a wide range of cutting styles in todays market and methods for carat weight assessment.
• GM103 Synthetic, Imitation & Treated Gems: Imitation gems and treatments can be traced through history but synthetic or ‘cultured’ gems use more modern processes that are sometimes misrepresented at the buyer's expense. Understand the synthetics readily available in the market, imitations and treatments of gems and their proper disclosure practices in the gem trade.
• GM104 Phenomenal Gemstones: An array of special gem materials which react in amazing ways to certain light sources are covered. From common to rare, students discover all about gem phenomena and phenomenal imitations.
• GM105 Diamonds, the 4 C's and Beyond: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat are explained from a gemmological point of view. The origins and history of diamonds are reviewed and an understanding of the modern diamond trade is imparted.
• GM106 Natural Diamonds, Simulants & Synthetics: Many materials are made to resemble diamonds; some can be easily identified, while others nearly identical. The differences between natural and synthetic diamonds are covered. Tips and quick practical tests are shared to assist in identification.
• GM107 Pearls: Natural, Cultured & Imitation: Differences between the varieties of pearls readily available in the market today are identified. Origins of some of the most beautiful specimens as well as common imitations and tests are covered. South sea, Japanese and Chinese pearls are closely inspected.
• GM108 Assessing Pearl Value: Varied examples are used to identify the different quality factors of pearls and how they affect price. Colour, lustre, shape, spotting, nacre thickness & make are amongst factors explained & observed.
• GM109 Platinum, Gold and Silver: An overview of the history, terminology, science, testing and grading of metals is presented, as well as an analysis of the world's most impressive precious metal jewellery are discussed. Metal purity is documented through Trade- and Hall-marks which are inspected.
• GM110 Jewellery Manufacturing: The history of jewellery manufacturing is as colourful as jewellery itself. This overview also focuses on today’s manufacturing processes and factors that affect durability, quality and price.
• GM111 Organic Gems: Materials produced by something living or once living are known as Organic Gems. Amber, Jet, Bone, Ivory, Shell and Coral are covered, with other less common but unusual types found in jewellery today.
• GM112 Jade and Jade Imitations: As one of the most popular gems in the Far East, Jade has many imitations, and two genuine forms: Jadeite and Nephrite. Learn Jade’s history, value factors, imitations & lore.