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Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones
Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones Passionately educating the industry and consumers about gemstones

Introduction
Learning about Gemstones
Occupational Health & Safety
From times which pre-date history, man undoubtedly came upon pleasingly coloured stream pebbles and glittering crystals embedded in rocky ledges and in caverns. Minerals and gemstones have long been recovered and retained as things of beauty, durability and rarity.
Early written records, information gathered from paintings in tombs, and evidence from archaeological finds, teach of an advance in mineralogical arts over thousands of years.
While gems were valued and used as they are today for personal adornment, of greatimportance were their presumed mystical powers. Remnants of these beliefs still exist in such things as lucky charms, birthstones and religious symbols.
By the middle of the 18th Century the transition was being made from myth and superstition to a search for a reliance on observed facts and experiments. From the new science of mineralogy there developed the specialised branch known as gemmology.
Gemmology is very neatly defined by the Gemological Institute of America as “The science of those minerals, and other rare materials, beautiful and durable enough for use as personal adornment and the embellishment of our personal possessions.” Briefly, gemmology is the scientific study of gemstones. It is a study becoming increasingly necessary for those in the jewellery trade.
The word “gemmology” is hybrid, and is formed from the Latin gemma (a gem) and the
Greek logos (a science). It is a word first recorded in the Great Oxford Dictionary of
1811.Today a wide range of minerals are used in jewellery and any person handling gemstones must have a knowledge of all gem minerals, and know how to distinguish one from another.
Moreover, imitation stones are no longer limited to various forms of paste but include doublets, triplets and plastic materials.
Most difficult of all to detect are the modern synthetic stones, which may have all the properties of the genuine material and differ only in minute internal features. These will need examination under the microscope for their detection. Instances of worthless synthetics being bought or valued as genuine stones still occur far too frequently. When identifying a gemstone, accuracy must be absolute, whether verbal or written! With adequate training, even difficult gemstone identification need not frighten the gemmologist.
Practical Diamond Grading Course Notes & Worksheets © Version 5.0 | March 2013
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Introduction
It would be impossible to rely simply on appearance to distinguish between all stones and particularly to recognise a synthetic. Such a method would inevitably lead to error that might prove costly and/or embarrassing.
The gemmologist, presented with a valuable faceted stone, is restricted to non-destructive tests and measurements. Special instruments and techniques have been developed to gather sufficient data to identify such a gemstone.
With knowledge and an understanding of the subject, the trained gemologist will inspire and retain the confidence of their customers. Gemmology, from a purely commercial standpoint, is of the utmost importance to the jeweller or gem dealer. Hence, for success, theoretical and practical knowledge should go hand in hand.
Gem cutting methods are not the same for all gems. A lapidary with a good theoretical knowledge, in addition to practical experience, is much more likely to see the `possibilities' of a stone when cutting it or when cutting from the rough.
Finally, jewellers and gem dealers should bear in mind the high value placed on gemstones. They owe it to their employer, to themselves, and above all to the general public, to see that they have the knowledge upon which to found reliable judgement of the goods being sold.
An increasing awareness of gems, by the professional jeweller, the collector and hobbyist, has led to numerous publications on the subject.
For the keen student, gemmology will be a lifelong study. It will involve much more than working through these course notes and assignments, and reading one or two textbooks.
From the earliest opportunity, gemmologists should actively extend their knowledge of gems and keep abreast of the rapid advances in gemmology. Students should read widely and become familiar with the current standard textbooks in gemmology and mineralogy, and read the more specialised scientific periodicals (eg. The Australian Gemmologist,
Gems and Gemology [U.S.A. - note spelling], Journal of Gemmology [U.K.]).
The science of minerals includes mineralogy, gemmology, chemistry, physics and geology.
Libraries provide a whole range of books on gemstones and jewellery, special topics such as Opal in Australia, gem cutting, or inclusions in gemstones, and on subjects relevant to gemmology such as elementary optics and inorganic chemistry, prospecting for minerals, mineral collecting, etc.
Equally as vital as the extensive reading is the need for students to familiarise themselves with the look, shape and texture of the minerals themselves. The effort to seek out these actual examples will reward them with a growing awareness of the particular visual and tactile properties of examples collected.
Practical Diamond Grading Course Notes & Worksheets © Version 5.0 | March 2013
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Introduction
Finding these examples is a relatively simple matter of visiting State and national museums (In Australia and elsewhere), university, college and school collections, company collections,private collections, lapidary club displays, local shows, etc.
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WHATEVER YOUR ORIGINAL MOTIVATION FOR
EMBARKING ON THIS COURSE,
THE ADVENTURE AND FASCINATION TO FOLLOW
WILL RENDER ITS DEMANDS INSIGNIFICANT.
The following steps minimise the risk of electrocution:
 do not overload power supplies by the use of double adaptors
 do not permit electrical equipment to be modified or repaired by persons other than licensed electricians
 ensure that all electrical equipment is inspected and tested annually by a licensed electrician
 ensure availability of staff with first aid training
 organise the workplace to keep water and the risk of spills away from electrical equipment
Fires may be caused by malfunction of electrical equipment or ignition of flammable liquids.Smoking is prohibited in laboratories.
Practical Diamond Grading Course Notes & Worksheets © Version 5.0 | March 2013
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