iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

GEMMOLOGY

A science for some, a mystery for others, gemmology is not always easy to understand, both in its definition and in the fields it covers. The definition given by the Larousse dictionary is: “Science which consists of identifying the nature of gems and characterizing their decorative use”. Let’s go a little further…

Definition of gemmology

Gemmology is the study of gems, i.e. any material that is attractive and durable enough to be used in jewellery, or as a decorative object. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds come immediately to mind, but there are also amber, opal, pearls, malachite…

The history of the gem trade and its use in jewellery, as well as the creations that these gems have inspired, are also important themes in the world of gemmology.

Gemmology is above all a “field” science based on notions of geology, crystallography and mineralogy. It has the particularity of being extremely concrete, practical and accessible. Indeed, the study of gems is done above all by observation. The gemmologist’s best tools are their loupe… and their eye.

The gemmologist

A gemmologist knows how to differentiate a ruby from other red gems resembling it… It is thanks to gemmology that it was possible to see that the “Black Prince’s Ruby” of the English crown was actually a red spinel. The gemmologist also knows how to identify the characteristics of gems: their quality, their possible origin, but also their treatments… Is this emerald intended to be used in Haute-Jewellery? Is it a beautiful natural Colombian emerald or an emerald created in a laboratory? Has this ruby been heated or dyed? A gemmologist knows how to use their observations and instruments to study and identify the gem.

Gemmology and the gem market

Gemmology is also about evaluating the quality and rarity of a gem by defining its colour, its purity, and by evaluating the quality of its cut. It is then possible to sort and match small stones that will be mounted on a ring or a watch… A good gemmologist is also a good adviser and can define which gem can be faceted or drilled, which gem is durable enough to be mounted in a ring, and which stone should rather be mounted in earrings…

Above all, gemmology offers greater transparency and ethics in the world of jewellery and mining: a gemmologist knows which names are authorized and which are misleading and illegal, which treatments are not accepted on the market and how to recognize them, but also the value and possible origin of certain gems. To be a gemmologist is to be able to navigate with more ease in a very dynamic and changing market, to avoid false promises, and to be able to find the rare gem, while knowing how to negotiate the price.

iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

GEMMOLOGY

A science for some, a mystery for others, gemmology is not always easy to understand, both in its definition and in the fields it covers. The definition given by the Larousse dictionary is: “Science which consists of identifying the nature of gems and characterizing their decorative use”. Let’s go a little further…

Definition of gemmology

Gemmology is the study of gems, i.e. any material that is attractive and durable enough to be used in jewellery, or as a decorative object. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds come immediately to mind, but there are also amber, opal, pearls, malachite…

The history of the gem trade and its use in jewellery, as well as the creations that these gems have inspired, are also important themes in the world of gemmology.

Gemmology is above all a “field” science based on notions of geology, crystallography and mineralogy. It has the particularity of being extremely concrete, practical and accessible. Indeed, the study of gems is done above all by observation. The gemmologist’s best tools are their loupe… and their eye.

The gemmologist

A gemmologist knows how to differentiate a ruby from other red gems resembling it… It is thanks to gemmology that it was possible to see that the “Black Prince’s Ruby” of the English crown was actually a red spinel. The gemmologist also knows how to identify the characteristics of gems: their quality, their possible origin, but also their treatments… Is this emerald intended to be used in Haute-Jewellery? Is it a beautiful natural Colombian emerald or an emerald created in a laboratory? Has this ruby been heated or dyed? A gemmologist knows how to use their observations and instruments to study and identify the gem.

Gemmology and the gem market

Gemmology is also about evaluating the quality and rarity of a gem by defining its colour, its purity, and by evaluating the quality of its cut. It is then possible to sort and match small stones that will be mounted on a ring or a watch… A good gemmologist is also a good adviser and can define which gem can be faceted or drilled, which gem is durable enough to be mounted in a ring, and which stone should rather be mounted in earrings…

Above all, gemmology offers greater transparency and ethics in the world of jewellery and mining: a gemmologist knows which names are authorized and which are misleading and illegal, which treatments are not accepted on the market and how to recognize them, but also the value and possible origin of certain gems. To be a gemmologist is to be able to navigate with more ease in a very dynamic and changing market, to avoid false promises, and to be able to find the rare gem, while knowing how to negotiate the price.

iGEM: the synergy of 3 centres of excellence
to identify and evaluate gems and jewellery

GEMMOLOGY

A science for some, a mystery for others, gemmology is not always easy to understand, both in its definition and in the fields it covers. The definition given by the Larousse dictionary is: “Science which consists of identifying the nature of gems and characterizing their decorative use”. Let’s go a little further…

Definition of gemmology

Gemmology is the study of gems, i.e. any material that is attractive and durable enough to be used in jewellery, or as a decorative object. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds come immediately to mind, but there are also amber, opal, pearls, malachite…

The history of the gem trade and its use in jewellery, as well as the creations that these gems have inspired, are also important themes in the world of gemmology.

Gemmology is above all a “field” science based on notions of geology, crystallography and mineralogy. It has the particularity of being extremely concrete, practical and accessible. Indeed, the study of gems is done above all by observation. The gemmologist’s best tools are their loupe… and their eye.

The gemmologist

A gemmologist knows how to differentiate a ruby from other red gems resembling it… It is thanks to gemmology that it was possible to see that the “Black Prince’s Ruby” of the English crown was actually a red spinel. The gemmologist also knows how to identify the characteristics of gems: their quality, their possible origin, but also their treatments… Is this emerald intended to be used in Haute-Jewellery? Is it a beautiful natural Colombian emerald or an emerald created in a laboratory? Has this ruby been heated or dyed? A gemmologist knows how to use their observations and instruments to study and identify the gem.

Gemmology and the gem market

Gemmology is also about evaluating the quality and rarity of a gem by defining its colour, its purity, and by evaluating the quality of its cut. It is then possible to sort and match small stones that will be mounted on a ring or a watch… A good gemmologist is also a good adviser and can define which gem can be faceted or drilled, which gem is durable enough to be mounted in a ring, and which stone should rather be mounted in earrings…

Above all, gemmology offers greater transparency and ethics in the world of jewellery and mining: a gemmologist knows which names are authorized and which are misleading and illegal, which treatments are not accepted on the market and how to recognize them, but also the value and possible origin of certain gems. To be a gemmologist is to be able to navigate with more ease in a very dynamic and changing market, to avoid false promises, and to be able to find the rare gem, while knowing how to negotiate the price.