Diploma Program in Gemology

Institute regularly conducts a full time intensive gemmology diploma programme. This has been developed to help jewellers retailers, diamond and gemstone dealers and new comers.
Incharge of the course is Dr. Jayshree Panjikar. The Co-ordinators are Ms. Anjali Javeri and Ms. Silvia Sequeira.

COURSE CONTENT
1. Introduction of gems : a. Basic qualities; b. Chemical composition; c. Weights and Measures.
2. Chemical Composition
3. Crystallography of gemstones Nature of Crystals: Systems of Crystallography; Crystalline and non Crystalline Materials; Forms; Habit; Twinning.
4. Physical Properties : a. Hardness b. Cleavage c. SG
5. Optical properties : a. Colour; b. Transparency; c. Visible Spectrum; d. Light Reflection; e. Total Internal Reflection; Single and Double Refraction; f. Dispersion; g. Polarization; h. Refractive index and its determination by Refractometer; Reflectivity; Reflectometer.
6. Causes of colour in gemstones : Pleochroism; Interference; Lustre; Sheen; Opalescence; Adularescence; Irridescence; Asterism; Chatoyancy.
7. Use of instruments such as : Jeweller's Lens; Microscope; Spectroscope; Dichroscope; Chelsea Colour Filter; Ultraviolet light; Polariscope; Refractometer.
8. Differentiating Natural Gemstones From Its Synthetics And Simulants Different Types of Synthetics & Its Identification
9. Description of Gem Stones : The varieties and colours, species, chemical composition and crystal systems, physical properties etc
11. Identification of treated gemstones
12. Identification of various inclusions in gemstones by occurrences
13. Marketing aspects of gemstones & export procedures : a. Gem & Jewellery Industry An Overview, Analysis Of Prospects And Problems Of the Industry b. Sectors Such As Precious / Semi Precious, Diamonds, Pearls, Synthetic, Imitation, Jewellery c. Studded and Plain Gold and Formalities.
14. Fashioning of Gemstones a. Procedures, Processes and Equipment Used In Cutting of Diamonds and Other Stones. b. Different Styles of Cutting. Grading Gemstones for Quality of Cutting.
15. Electrical and Magnetic properties of gemstones, conductometer.
16. Thermal conductivity and Thermal probes.
17. Practicals :
- Observation of external features (cut, colour, fractures, etc.) of a gemstone using a "10x lens;
- Observation of external symmetry, surface marks and cleavage of various crystals and their identification;
- Determination of hardness on Moh's Scale using hardness pencils and hardness plates;
- Determination of specific gravity by hydrostatic weighing method and by using heavy liquids;
- Measurement of refractive indices and birefringence tests using a gem-testing refractometer;
- Detection of double refraction, interference figures and internal strain with the polariscope;
- Detection of double refraction, by observing pleochroic colours with the dichroscope and 10x lens. Identification of gemstones on the basis of pleochroic colours;
- Study of the absorption spectra of various gemstones using a direct vision spectroscope;
- Study of the fluorescent colours exhibited by various gemstones under ultraviolet (long wave and short wave) light;
- Observation of the internal features of various natural and synthetics gemstones with a microscope;
- Use of colour filters in detecting synthetic gemstones
- Identification of unknown gemstones using the above techniques. During the course each student individually practices and handles hundreds of gemstones;
- Visual Identification of various gemstones by its crystal system and other external properties;
- Various types of cuts and how to cut gemstones.