Needless to say, gemstones are integral to the world of fine jewelry. Not only can they enhance the beauty of an accessory but they can also impact its overall value. That said, have you ever stopped to wonder how one stone differs from another and more importantly, what field you’d have to get into to understand the same?
If so, this article might just be perfect for you. Read on to find out more about the field of gemology and the nuances of the same.
So, What Exactly Is Gemology?
To put it simply, it is the scientific study of gems. It deals with both artificial and natural gemstone materials, including semi-precious and precious gems. The study involves identifying, analyzing, cutting and valuing the stones.
When it comes to gemstones, identification is key.
This is simply because certain stones, like the diamond and moissanite, for example, tend to look quite similar to one another.
‘So, how do you tell the stones apart?’, you ask. Well, that’s where gemology comes in!
Gemologists, that is, people who conduct this study of gems, are specially trained to identify, grade and appraise gems based on different criteria. This ensures that every stunner is properly evaluated and categorized.
Continue reading to better understand the role of a gemologist…
Who Should Study Gemology?
While anyone can pursue this study of gems, it is particularly useful for people with certain careers. They are as follows:
1. Lapidaries (Gem Cutters)
Though they may look alike, different gems have different structures. This fact can greatly impact the way they are cut. Here, lapidaries need to have special knowledge of each stone to orient the rough and facet it in the right way. Not only will this enhance the gem’s brilliance but will also help in its color management.
2. Scientists
This is mainly because the analysis and measurement of optical and physical properties which are used to identify and classify a gem are part of a continuous scientific process.
Why Should Jewelers Study Gemology?
In our opinion, every jeweler should be well-versed with this study. This is due to several reasons.
To begin with, designing a jewelry item is akin to engineering a structure.
Apart from having a creative streak, the professional also needs to be aware of certain aspects related to the gem – like its durability, for example. This is because a setting that may work for a ruby might not be a great option for a pearl. And not knowing this information could negatively impact the longevity of the accessory.
Besides this, customers tend to have a lot of questions regarding gems that they’re interested in. Hence, the jewelers must understand the nuances of each stone so that they can appropriately guide the buyers.
What Tools Do Gemologists Use?
Gemologists use several tools to complete their day-to-day tasks. Having said that, the main ones are as follows:
- Loupe – This is a simple, small magnifying glass used to spot the minor details of a gemstone.
- Refractometer – This device is generally used to discover a gem’s refractive index.
- Dichroscope – It is a small, handheld instrument that helps gemologists separate the colors in dichroic gemstones and observe their pleochroism. This pocket instrument also aids in differentiating artificial stones from the natural gems.
- Microscope – This tool is used to spot the inclusions present within a stone.
- Balance Beam Scale and Heavy Liquids – One of the more interesting devices out there, this scale allows the gemologist to determine the specific gravity of a gem.
- Polariscope – This device works by detecting certain inclusions (strain and twining) within the gemstone, especially diamond.
Did You Know?
That even though people studied gemstones for a long time, it wasn’t until 1908 that the field of gemology was actually created.
Angara Says:
Want to buy gemstones approved by certified gemologists? Check out our GIA Collection.
Interested in the 4Cs of a diamond and want to know more about its clarity? Go ahead and read our article titled ‘What is diamond clarity chart, grade and quality.’
