opal

While some cut names may describe the face-up shape of the finished gem, others refer to the shape and arrangement of the gem’s facets. These cuts…

Step 1: Introduction to Gemology Lesson 1 Back to syllabus Gemology is the scientific study of gemstones. Although there may be investors and collectors…

Step 1: Introduction to Gemology Lesson 2 Back to syllabus For thousands of years, people have used terms like “gem” and “gemstone”…

Most gems form naturally as minerals within the Earth. Most form as crystals, solids whose atoms are arranged in highly ordered repeating patterns…

Little is simple and straightforward in gemology. Every established principle has an exception. This applies to gem classification as well.…

In crystallography, mineral habits refer to the way crystals form within a specific mineral. In A Guide to Gem Classification, I mentioned that,…

When choosing gemstones for jewelry, it’s crucial to understand more than just how beautiful a stone looks. Gemstone hardness and wearability…

The word “lapidary” usually refers to the creation of small objects from gem materials (not large objects like Michelangelo’s…

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…