An Introduction to Gemology
Step 1: Introduction to Gemology Lesson 1 Back to syllabus Gemology is the scientific study of gemstones. Although there may be investors and collectors…
What is a Gem?
Step 1: Introduction to Gemology Lesson 2 Back to syllabus For thousands of years, people have used terms like “gem” and “gemstone”…
Gem Formation: How are Gemstones Created?
Most gems form naturally as minerals within the Earth. Most form as crystals, solids whose atoms are arranged in highly ordered repeating patterns…
A Guide to Gem Classification
Little is simple and straightforward in gemology. Every established principle has an exception. This applies to gem classification as well.…
What are Crystal Systems and Mineral Habits?
In crystallography, mineral habits refer to the way crystals form within a specific mineral. In A Guide to Gem Classification, I mentioned that,…
Gemstone Hardness and Wearability
When choosing gemstones for jewelry, it’s crucial to understand more than just how beautiful a stone looks. Gemstone hardness and wearability…
An Introduction to the Lapidary Arts
The word “lapidary” usually refers to the creation of small objects from gem materials (not large objects like Michelangelo’s…
Lapidary Fundamentals: Cutting Rough Stones
In all fields of lapidary, you’ll need to take large pieces of stone and turn them into useful, smaller sized pieces. If you’re in the…
Lapidary Fundamentals: Cabochon Cutting
Cabochon cutting or cabbing is the most popular form of gem cutting. Although it requires a fair amount of skill, almost anyone can master this technique.…
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