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: 17 – 28 March 2025 and 3 – 14 November 2025
What will I learn ?
Explore gemstones, diamonds and pearls 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 loupes, microscopes and other instruments in order to identify gemstones (including treatments and synthetics).
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 world-leading gemmologists, 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 in order to identify gemstones and their simulants. Students will spend a lot of time working practically on gemstones from the large SSEF collection.
Long-term benefits
This course is an introduction to gemmology. Enter the world of coloured stones, diamonds and pearls. You will acquire practical skills that you can apply in your day-to-day business and that will be useful throughout any career in the gem and jewellery industry.
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:
17 – 28 March 2025
03 – 14 November 2025
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Module 1
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
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 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
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
Practical Training
- Testing numerous gemstones from course collection with different instruments
- UV-lamp and other instruments
- Identification of gemstones using worksheet
Practical Training
- Testing numerous gemstones from course collection with different instruments
- UV-lamp and other instruments
- Identification of gemstones using worksheet
Module 4
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Diamond
- Introduction and Origin of diamonds
- Diamond mining
- The quality of the four C’s: Carat, Cut, Clarity and Colour
- The impact of the diamond grade on the value of the diamond
- Diamond grading
- Synthetic diamonds
- Diamond treatments
- Diamond imitations
- Practical training
Diamond
- Introduction and Origin of diamonds
- Diamond mining
- The quality of the four C’s: Carat, Cut, Clarity and Colour
- The impact of the diamond grade on the value of the diamond
- Diamond grading
- Synthetic diamonds
- Diamond treatments
- Diamond imitations
- Practical training
Module 9
Workshop and practical preparation for the final exam
Module 10
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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