Gemmology is the science of analyzing natural and synthetic gemstone material, from coloured stones to diamonds to organic material like pearls, amber and opals. A gemmologist is a person that is academically trained and qualified to identify and evaluate gems using specialized scientific equipment such as microscopes, refractometers, dichroscopes, spectrometers and more.
I recently attended the GIA Jewellery Forensics seminar. As a gemmologist, it is important to participate in continuous education in order to keep up to speed with new technologies, such as being able to identify a lab-grown diamond versus a natural one. As a jewellery appraiser, I need to understand how a piece of jewellery is made in order to…
This is probably one of the most commonly asked questions that I get as a gemmologist. “Can you tell me if this is real?” Often times people inherit jewellery from family members that have been passed down from generation to generation. The story that accompanies a piece of jewellery may have been embellished along the way too. Other scenarios are…
Many people wonder whether they should get their jewellery appraised. Is it worth it or just a waste of money? There are many reasons why you may need a jewellery appraisal and there are also many different types of appraisals, such as for insurance purposes, donations or estates to name a few. These appraisals all serve different functions so it…
