Discover the fascinating world of gemmology at your own pace
online, for £220
11
Lessons
50+
Videos
Certificate
Ofqual Level 2
English
Language
Introduction video
Learning Path
In this first chapter we’ll explore what gemmology is, its history, and how gems become precious in the first place. We’ll also take a look at modern gemmology and how contemporary laboratories are equipped.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at gems, gemstones, the materials that make them up and how we can determine their quality.
In this chapter we will begin to break down the differences between natural and artificial gems, and explore how we can differentiate between substances produced in the earth, and synthetic ones produced in the laboratory.
Here, we begin to explore the unique properties of gems including their hardness, propensity to fracture or cleave, and their dimensions and weights.
In chapter five, we will begin to explore how we can observe gems. This ranges from looking with the naked eye using our hands, to using special lights under a microscope. We’ll also take a look at how to clean and handle small gemstones.
Here, we will begin to explore the complicated interactions between gemstones and light. This will include looking at colour, lustre, and the various optical effects that become apparent when illuminating gems.
In this chapter we take a much closer look at gems and explore their internal worlds. This includes identifying various inclusions within the gem material and identifying the origin of the stones – be it natural or synthetic.
Here, we take a look at how the appearance and durability of gems can be improved using methods such as heat or irradiation, oil and resin, or coating the stone in other materials.
In chapter nine we begin to explore the basics of cutting, setting and faceting stones. We’ll take a look at the various methods and forms of gem cutting and, in particular, more contemporary styles and techniques of doing so.
In this chapter we follow the journey of gems from mine to market, exploring the geology of gems and the effects and processes associated with mining. We’ll also consider how we determine the value of gems, and look at how stones can be traced back to a place of origin.
Finally, we’ll take a look at the lore of gemstones and explore some of the traditional properties attributed to them, including their believed medicinal uses and function as birthstones.
There is a mini quiz at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge and as you move through the course you will gradually unlock gemstones for additional reading and interesting facts on select gem materials. By the end of the course, you will have collected 32 gemstones for you to read about as you learn more about gemmology. Finally, after completing all the chapters and the gemstones you will be able to take the final assessment – and once passed you will be able to download and print off your certificate to keep. Once successfully completed you will have a level 2 qualification accredited by Ofqual.
GemIntro Overview
Welcome to GemIntro! We are pleased to announce this new, short course by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) which has been educating people about gems and gemmology longer than any other organisation worldwide. Recognised for its Industry leading Diplomas leading to Fellowship of the Association, this course is designed to give a broad introduction to the wonderful world of gems and gemmology.
Gemintro is designed for anyone seeking to start and progress their career in gemmology. Covering a broad range of topics and issues, with successful completion, you will understand how gemmology is applied in many areas of the gemmological industries which includes retail, manufacture, jewellery design, and mining to name a few. Gemintro is also perfect for gemstone enthusiasts who want to understand more about this exciting, beautiful, and diverse world.
Completing GemIntro will help you:
- work with and buy gems with increased confidence
- gain an appreciation for the characteristics and identifying features of gemstones most commonly available in the market
- gain a broad understanding of the different aspects and basic principles of gemmology
- dive into other gem-related topics such as responsible sourcing and sustainability
- properly represent these beautiful gem materials and inspire consumer confidence through communicating effectively and knowledgeably with clients
GemIntro Syllabus
There are 11 chapters to work through with lots of videos and interactive content covering topics including gemmology, gem materials, observation, identification, cutting, mine to market, science and geology, lore and so much more. There is a mini quiz at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge and as you move through the course you will gradually unlock gemstones for additional reading and interesting facts on select gem materials. By the end of the course, you will have collected 32 gemstones for you to read about as you learn more about gemmology. Finally, after completing all the chapters and the gemstones you will be able to take the final assessment – and once passed you will be able to download and print off your certificate to keep. Once successfully completed you will have a level 2 qualification accredited by Ofqual.
Topics covered in this course
1. Gemmology
In this first chapter we will explore what gemmology is, its history, and how gems become precious in the first place. We will also look at how gemmology has advanced, including how contemporary laboratories are equipped.At the end of chapter 1 students should:
1. Gemmology
1.1 How gems become precious
1.2 A brief history of Gemmology
1.3 What is Gemmology
1.4 Modern Gemmology
1.5 Gemmological laboratories
Quick quiz
30mins + 5videos
2. Gems & Gemstones
Here, we will take a closer look at gems, gemstones, the materials that make them up and how we can determine their quality.Students should have a basic understanding
2. Gems and Gemstones
2.1 Gem quality: beauty, rarity and durability
2.2 Value factors
Quick quiz
25mins + 5videos
3. Gem materials
In this chapter we will begin to break down the differences between natural and artificial gems and explore how we can differentiate between natural gem materials and synthetic materials produced in the laboratory.At the end of chapter 3 students should:
3. Gem materials
3.1 Artificial products
3.1.1 Synthetic stones
3.1.2 Composite stones
3.1.3 Other artificial products
Quick quiz
15mins + 5videos
4. Gem properties
Here, we begin to explore the unique properties of gems including their hardness, propensity to fracture or cleave, and their dimensions and weights.At the end of chapter 4 students should:
4. Gem properties
4.1 Hardness and toughness
4.2 Fracture and cleavage
4.3 Dimensions and weight
Quick quiz
20mins + 5videos
5. Gem observation
Correct gem observation is a very important part of gemmology, and we will begin to explore how to observe gems. This ranges from looking with our own eyes through to using simple equipment and correct lighting. We will also look at how to clean and handle gemstones.At the end of chapter 5 students should understand:
5. Gem observation
5.1 Handling and cleaning gem materials
5.2 Under the naked eye
5.2.1 What can you see?
5.2.2 Tweezers
5.3 Using light
5.4 The microscope
Quick quiz
25mins + 5videos
6. Gemstones & light
Here, we will begin to explore the complicated interactions between gemstones and light. This will include looking at colour, lustre, and the various optical effects that become apparent when illuminating certain gems and gemstones.At the end of chapter 6 students should:
6. Gemstones and light
6.1 Light-related properties
6.1.1 Lustre
6.1.2 Diamonds and colourless gems
6.1.3 Optical effects
6.1.4 Opaque gems
6.2 More on colour
6.2.1 Seeing more than one colour
6.3 Colour change
6.4 Salesroom
Quick quiz
7. More on magnification
Let us take a much closer look at gems and explore their internal worlds. This includes identifying various inclusions within gem materials through to seeking evidence in identifying the origin of gems and gemstones – be it natural or synthetic.At the end of chapter 7 students should:
7. More on magnification
7.1 The internal world of gems – inclusions
7.1.1 Detecting synthetic gems
7.1.2 Origin determination
Quick quiz
10mins + 3videos
8. Improving the appearance of durability of gems
Here, we look at treatments, what methods are used to improve the appearance and durability of gems through utilising oil and resins, coating stones and applying heat or irradiation.At the end of chapter 8 students should:
8. Improving the appearance or durability of gems
8.1 Heat or irradiation
8.2 Oil, resin and other filings
8.3 Coating
8.4 An old practice
Quick quiz
30mins + 5videos
9. Cutting and setting
In chapter nine we begin to explore the basics of cutting, setting, and faceting stones. We will look at the various methods and forms of gem cutting and more contemporary styles, fashioning, and techniques.At the end of chapter 9 students should:
9. Cutting and setting
9.1 Gem cutting
9.2 Faceting
9.2.1 Cutting factors
9.3 Other forms of cutting
9.4 New styles and techniques
9.5 Setting
Quick quiz
25mins + 5videos
10. From mine to market
In this chapter we follow the journey of gems from mine to market, exploring the geology of gems and importance of disclosure from mine to consumer. We will also consider how we determine the value of gems and look at how stones may be traced back to a place of origin.At the end of chapter 10 students should:
10. From mine to market
10.1 The geology of gems
10.2 Mining effects
10.3 Mining processes
10.4 The value of gems
10.5 Traceability
Quick quiz
20mins + 5videos
11. The lore of gemstones
Finally, we will look at the lore of gemstones and explore some of the traditional properties attributed to them, including their believed medicinal uses and function as birthstones.At the end of chapter 11 students should:
11. The lore of Gemstones
11.1 Birthstones
11.2 Gems as medicine
Quick quiz
5 mins + 2 videos
The Gemstones
Further reading on 32 gem and gemstone categories are available on successful completion of each chapter including agate, alexandrite, amber and copal, aquamarine, carnelian, coral, cubic zirconia, diamond, emerald, garnet, glass, iolite, jade, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, peridot, quartz (citrine, rock crystal, amethyst), ruby, sapphire, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.
At the end of The Gemstones students should
32 Gemstones
Final assessment
There is a mini quiz at the end of each chapter to test your knowledge and as you move through the course you will gradually unlock gemstones for additional reading and interesting facts on select gem materials. By the end of the course, you will have collected 32 gemstones for you to read about as you learn more about gemmology. Finally, after completing all the chapters and the gemstones you will be able to take the final assessment – and once passed you will be able to download and print off your certificate to keep. Once successfully completed you will have a level 2 qualification accredited by Ofqual.
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
Results and grades
A Level 2 Award in GemIntro will be awarded to qualifying candidates.
Ready to get started?
Follow the steps below to register for GemIntro and start learning gemmology online, at your own pace!
Step 1
Register and start studying online at your own pace with 6 months access to the course
Step 2
Login to your GemIntro account and launch the course
Step 3
Complete chapter quizzes and unlock restricted content
Step 4
Get 80% in the final assessment to print and save your Level 2 GemIntro Certificate
Next steps
Next steps in Gemmology
Register and start studying online at your own pace with 6 months access to the course.
Once you have successfully paid for the course, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in/ reset password etc. To start learning at your own pace, online, simply follow the instructions in the confirmation email or login via https://gemintro.gem-a.com/my-account
Complete chapter quizzes and unlock restricted content
Get 80% in the final assessment to print and save your Level 2 GemIntro Certificate