Gemstones for Jewellers with Sally Spencer

Course Aims

The course is designed to help jewellers save time and money by providing information that helps when buying gemstones, designing jewellery that incorporates them or when working with them – all wrapped up in a busy and fun day! 

This one-day workshop introduces you to the sparkling world of gemstones, before we look at gemstone durability and what this means for jewellers.  You’ll also find out how to use a 10x loupe & tweezers to look at gemstones and learn about some of their potential vulnerabilities. 

You’ll have a brief overview of how gemmologists identify gemstones, while trying some of the equipment for yourselves, as well as finding out why correct gemstone ID is so important.

We will also look at synthetic and imitation gemstones, gemstone treatments and composite gemstones and why jewellers really do need to be aware of these; exploring a buyer beware little shop of horrors! 

Experience level required:

No experience required the course is appropriate for beginners and intermediate.

Sally is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, gemmologist & jeweller. She has written the Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones to help fellow jewellers avoid damaging gemstones when designing or working with them, aiming to save time and money.

She also runs one-day workshops teaching jewellers about coloured gemstones and diamonds, including durability information about gemstones specifically for jewellers & pitfalls to avoid when purchasing gemstones.  This is a particular passion and Sally spends much time advising about fake, imitation, treated and man made gemstones, sharing the information with consumers to try and help them avoid mis sold gems.

At the end of the course students will have information about choosing suitable gemstones when designing jewellery, working with gemstones (including when repairing or remodelling items), gemstone treatments and imitations plus potential scams and pitfalls to avoid when buying gemstones.

Equipment

Reading glasses (if required, even if varifocals/bifocals are usually worn as it will be much easier to work with a loupe), a pen and notebook and a copy of Sally’s book if they already have one.

Sally will bring copies of her book ‘Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones’ for anyone who would like to buy a copy and doesn’t already have one (useful but not essential for the course).

Please do note that we will be unable to identify student’s gemstones as we will have neither the time or all the necessary instruments on the day

Tutor will bring:

Gemstones – natural, treated, imitation and fake!

How course will be taught:

The day is divided into sections, each has a powerpoint presentation discussing theory before being followed by the opportunity to see this in real life, with a checklist provided for the day so that students ensure they have seen every box of example stones.

There is no handout, but Sally will have copies of the Jewellers’ quick reference guide to working with gemstones for anyone who would like to purchase a copy