Basic Gemmology course
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
The “Basic Gemmology” course by SSEF is a gemmology bootcamp that offers a comprehensive and practical introduction to the fundamentals in just 10 days.
Duration: 10 days
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Language: English
Group size: 9 students maximum
Level: Introduction
Prerequisites: Interest in gemstones and gemmology
Certificate: Basic Gemmology Course Completion Certificate (with exam)
Upcoming courses: 3 – 14 November 2025
What will I learn ?
Explore gemstones, diamonds and organic gem materials through highly specialized hands-on training. SSEF offers the unrivalled opportunity to learn the fundamentals of gemmology within a condensed 10-day gem bootcamp. Learn how to use professional tools such as a loupe, microscope, refractometer, polariscope and other instruments to identify gemstones (including treatments and synthetics).
Testimonial
“I personally enjoyed tremendously your course. Dr. Tashia Dzikowski-Hutter was a fantastic teacher and Carole Lachavanne was also outstanding …Chiara Parenzan also transmitted her passion when looking at inclusions in gemstones. The presentations by Dr. Tashia Dzikowski-Hutter and Ms Carole were outstanding. Each teacher was very attentive to the requests of each student. The practical period in the afternoon was also extremely useful.”
Ernesto Carp (Switzerland)
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for individuals who want to build up basic gemmological knowledge in a very short time in order to enter the industry and navigate a complex market.
Course structure
The main topics covered in this course include: identification of gemstones, diamond testing and pearl testing. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of gemmology by examining coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls. Basic gemmological techniques will be learned in order to identify gemstones and their simulants.
This course, taught by leading gemmologists (including Dr. Tashia Dzikowski-Hutter, FGA, Chiara Parenzan, MSc, FGA, and Carole Lachavanne, MSc, FGA, PhD candidate), is designed in two parts: theory and hands-on training using gemmological instruments and samples from a large stones collection for study. Small groups guarantee intensive training and a dynamic dialogue. Each participant will receive exhaustive course notes.
Aim of this course
The aim of this course is to offer participants a broad introduction to gemmology by examining coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls. Basic gemmological techniques will be learned to identify gemstones and their imitations. Students will spend plenty of time working practically on gemstones from the large SSEF collection.
Long-term benefits
After completion of this introductory course on coloured stones, diamonds, and organic gem materials, you will acquire practical skills that you can apply in your day-to-day business that will be useful throughout any career in the gem and jewellery industry.
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What you’ll learn during the Basic Gemmology Course
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
03 – 14 November 2025
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Module 1
Introduction to Gemmology and Geology
- Short introduction into geology of gemstone deposits
- Difference between a rock, mineral, and gemstone
- Introduction to the most common mineral gemstones
- Identifying characteristics of rough stones with the loupe and microscope including: Crystal shape, growth features, fracture and cleavage, colour lustre, and transparency
- Practical training
Introduction to Gemmology
- Introduction of gemstones and basic gemmological instruments: application, results, identification, limitations.
- History and mining of gemstones
- Using gemmological tables and reference books
- Practical training
Module 2
Identification of faceted and rough gemstones using classical gemmological instruments
- Use of loupe, microscope, refractometer, polariscope, dichroscope, spectroscope, hydrostatic balance
- Application of instruments, interpretation of results, limitations of these instruments
- Practical training
Identification of rough gemstones using classical instruments
- Use of loupe, microscope, refractometer, polariscope, spectroscope
- Features of a rock, a crystal, a pebble and a fragment
- Short introduction into geology of gemstone deposits
- Crystal growth, shape and symmetry of crystals
- Fracture and cleavage, colour and transparency, inclusions
- Which kind of information can you get when testing rough stones
- How to distinguish synthetic rough stones from natural ones
- Practical training
Module 3
Natural gemstones, synthetics, and artificial products
- Definitions of natural gemstones, synthetics and artificial products
- Description of different synthetic techniques
- Typical features of synthetic materials and their identification
- Use of microscope to identify inclusions in natural and synthetic samples
- Practical training with synthetic samples
Practical Training
- Testing numerous gemstones from course collection with different instruments
- UV-lamp and other instruments
- Identification of gemstones using worksheet
Module 4
Gemstone treatments
- Introduction to the most common gemstone treatments (e.g. fissure filling, dyeing, coating, heating, diffusion, glass filling, irradiation)
- Reasons for treatments
- Disclosure of enhanced sapphires, rubies and emeralds after CIBJO and LMHC rules
- Detection of treatments
- Practical training using microscope on treated samples
Natural gemstones, synthetics, and artificial products
- Definitions of natural gemstones, synthetics and artificial products
- Techniques for synthesis
- Synthetic growth conditions
- Typical features of synthetic materials and their identification
- Use of microscope to identify inclusions in natural and synthetic samples
- Practical training with synthetic samples
Module 5
Diamond
- Introduction to diamonds
- Description of diamond origin and diamond mining
- Description of diamond quality factors, the Four C’s: Carat, Cut, Clarity and Colour
- Description of diamond grading
- Description of synthetic diamonds
- Description of diamond treatments
- Diamond imitations
- Practical training identifying diamonds and diamond imitations
Gemstone treatments
- General introduction into most common gemstone treatments (e.g. beryl, corundum, diamond, jade, topaz…)
- The thermal enhancement of corundum
- The fracture filling of emeralds (beryl)
- How to detect fracture fillings in emeralds and quantify the filler
- Disclosure of enhanced sapphires, rubies and emeralds after CIBJO and LMHC rules
- The stability of treatments
- The detection and disclosure of treatments
- Practical training using microscope on treated samples
Module 6
Organic and biogenic gem materials
- Amber, ivory, coral
- Introduction to amber, coral, and ivory formation
- Characteristics of amber and coral treatment
- Pearls
- Definitions of natural pearls, cultured pearls and imitations
- Saltwater vs freshwater pearls
- Nacreous vs non-nacreous pearls
- Formation of a natural pearl
- Culturing processes of beadless vs beaded cultured pearls
- Observing natural and cultured pearls using the loupe and microscope
Practical training
- Using all gemmological instruments and microscope to identify numerous gemstones from SSEF Course collection.
- Learn to determine if studied sample is treated or synthetic
- Q&A
Module 7
Review
Review and practical preparation for the final exam
Pearls
- Definitions of natural pearls, cultured pearls and imitations
- The formation of a natural pearl
- Pearl culture techniques
- Major sources of natural and cultured pearls
- Identifying imitations (e.g. “Majorica pearls”)
- Common trade names and characteristisc of cultured pearls (e.g. Akoya-, Tahiti-, South Sea cultured pearls)
- Treatments
- Testing and identification of natural and cultured pearls (using loupe, microscope, X-radiography)
- Practical training
Module 8
Exam for the SSEF Basic Gemmology course
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
17 – 28 March 2025
03 – 14 November 2025
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why choose us?
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