Not only diamonds are important to the jewelry professional. What about rubies, sapphires, emeralds and all other beautiful precious and semi-precious gemstones? The importance of colored stones was emphasized by recent gemological conferences held in Antwerp.
Our new practical gemological program addresses the systematic identification of all colored stones, with special attention to the study of inclusions. Is that red stone a ruby, a spinel or a garnet, a red diamond or perhaps just a piece of colored glass?
Three questions will be answered :
What is the identity of the specimen?
Is the stone natural or synthetic?
Is the stone treated or not treated?
Duration: 10 days
Diploma awarded: IGI Colored Stone Grader
Introduction: color, transparency and cut
The refractometer and the polariscope
Practice
The polariscope
The dichroscope
The most important optical phenomena
(chatoyancy, asterism, ...)
Natural corundum (ruby and sapphire): properties and inclusions
Practice
Natural beryl (emerald): properties and inclusions
Practice
Practice
Synthetic rubies from different producers
Practice
Synthetic sapphires from different producers
Practice
Synthetic emeralds from different producers
Practice
Other synthetic gemstones and the identification of treatments
Practice
Practical test and delivery of the IGI Colored Stone Diploma