Objectives
To introduce students to the most commonly-encountered natural, synthetic and imitation gems, and to the instruments and techniques used in their identification.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be able to:
· Identify gemstones on the basis of quality and origin
· Advice on the best quality gemstones and associated minerals
· Make assessment of economical gemstone recovery operations
Mode of delivery: 2 hours lecture and 2 hr tutorial per week (60 hours)
Assessment Mode: Course work (Home works, quizzes, tests) 40%
University Examination 60%
Contents
The course will give an introduction to gem materials and the gem identification process.
will involve A review of optical properties, crystallographic properties, and physical properties of gemstones by visual observations. Studies on the microscope and the spectroscope, fluorescence and scientific classification of gem materials.
Classification based on imitation and assembled stones.
Coverage will be based on theoretical gemmology, in which gemstones, their properties and gemmological instruments are discussed in details. Practical sessions where students spend time applying this theory using the various instruments.
The following apparatus are required for the course: 10X loupe and gem tweezers, polariscope and interference figure sphere, refractometer, specific gravity liquids, microscope and immersion cell, dichroscope, spectroscope, ultra-violet fluorescence unit, Chelsea filter.
Recommended Textbooks:
B.W. Anderson & E.A. Jobbins (1990): Gem Testing, 10th ed.
Recommended References
1. Sinkankas, J. (1993) Gemmology: An Annotated Bibliography
2. Webster, R. (1994) Gems: Their Sources, Description and Identification. 5th ed.
3. Nassau, K. (1980) Gems Made by Man: The finest book on synthetic gem materials.
4. Richard ,T and Liddicoat, Jr. (1993) Handbook of Gem Identification
5. Cornelius, H and Cornelius, K. (1998) Manual of Mineralogy (after James D. Dana) . 21st ed. The classic college text on mineralogy.
6. Hughes, R. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire: Arguably the finest book ever devoted to a single gem species. It's all here, sources, prices, treatments, etc.