Introductory courses are designed for the beginner wanting to gain an understanding into the wonderful world of gemmology. You might be involved in the jewellery trade or just fascinated by gems.
Course outline for Introduction to gems and gemmology
- Properties of gemstones
- Corundum
- Diamond
- Coloured gems
- Synthetics and simulants
- Ornamentals (organic, minerals, rocks, lapidary)
- Laboratory sessions to learn the use of gem testing equipment
Practical diamond grading
As an introduction to handling diamonds, this short course will build on your knowledge of gemstones and, in particular, diamonds. Practical Diamond Grading (PDG) together with Advanced Practical Diamond Grading (APDG) are the practical components of the Diploma in Diamond Technology (DipDT). Practical instruction is delivered by acknowledged diamond experts who will teach you the use of professional instruments in the laboratory.
Course outline
- Handling diamonds and examination with professional tools
- Weight estimation techniques for round and fancy shapes
- Colour and clarity grade estimation, including plotting of inclusions
- Cut grade assessment based on estimated proportions
- Separating and identifying diamonds from imitations
- Testing diamonds for fluorescence
- Introduction to detecting synthetic and treated diamonds
Jewellery sketching and design
This short course will teach you the knowledge of how to put a design together from the start and to be able to communicate the design requirements effectively in order for it to be produced.
Course outline
- Communicating design
- Design inspiration
- 2-dimensional drawing using templates
- Design without drawing
- Sketching faceted gemstones
- Understanding perspective
- From rough sketches to polished final draft
Advanced Practical Diamond Grading
This intensive short course builds on the knowledge and experience you’ve gained in Practical Diamond Grading and extends the principles learnt in assessing round brilliant cut diamonds to the fancy shapes. It also extends your knowledge of diamonds by teaching you about what can be done with damaged diamonds and their salvage potential, how to approach and evaluate antique diamond cuts, grading colour of fancy coloured diamonds and how to recognise and identify the newest CVD and HPHT synthetic diamonds.
Course outline
- Application of proportion relationships in affecting cut grades
- Recutting damaged or old cut diamonds and assessing potential yield
- Evaluating brilliance, dispersion and scintillation
- Factors affecting cut quality in fancy shape diamonds
- Estimating colour and clarity of mounted diamonds
- Colour grading of fancy coloured diamonds
- Recognising the latest treatments and synthetic gem materials
Mon 08Aug Tues 09 QLD: Introduction to Gems and Gemmology(All Day) Rubyvale Town Hall, Rubyvale Rd Event Organized By: GAA Queensland Division
8-12th of Aug VIC: Practical Diamond Grading GAA Victorian Division, 380-382 Spencer Street, West Melbourne VIC
Mon 15Aug NSW: Practical Diamond Grading(5 Days Long) AEST GAA New South Wales Division, 128 Terry Street, Rozelle
Mon22AugWA: Jewellery Sketching and Design(8 Week) AWST GAA Western Australian Division, Unit 14/135 Railway Street, Cottesloe, Western Australia 6010
Sat27AugSun28QLD: Introduction to Gems and Gemmology(All Day) GAA Queensland Division, Suite 1A, 1st Floor, 443 Ipswich Rd, Annerley,
Sat03SepSun04NSW: Advanced Practical Diamond Grading(All Day) AEST GAA New South Wales Division, 128 Terry Street Rozelle
Sat24SepSun25NSW: Jewellery Sketching and Design(All Day) AEST GAA New South Wales Division, 128 Terry Street Rozelle