Pocket Gemmology
Unscientific methods of gem identification outside the laboratory
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Salespersons, Company Gem Buyers
- Collectors, Gem lovers and investors
Purposes:
- Introduction and demonstration of methods of gem identification by means of simple and cheap gemmological instruments
Contents:
- Demonstration of the correct handling of the instruments
- Tweezers
- Loupe
- Dichroscope
- Chelsea Filter
- Hand Spectroscope
- Pocket Polariscope
- The Cardinal Question: Glass or Gemstone?
- Range of application of the above instruments with practical examples
Duration:
about 90 minutes
Type of lecture:
Powerpoint-presentation with demonstration material and practical exercises. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. Due to the limited number of instruments that we can supply the number of participants should not exceed 12 persons. In case of more participants at least some instruments must be provided by the participants or the organizer.
Price:
€ 500 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel as well as possible rental fees for beamer and screen if these cannot be provided by the organizer.
Coloured Gems Investment Strategies
Target groups:
- Gem buyers seeking to preserve and/or increase their investment
Purposes:
- conveyance of basic knowledge to help select the right gems for the chosen investment strategy
- conveyance of quality criteria of coloured gems
Contents:
- Ruby or Tanzanite? Conservative and speculative investment strategies
- 5cts or 100 stones of 0.05cts? The "micro-investment-strategy"
- the four Cs of coloured gemstone grading
- historical abstract: the performance of certain gems in the course of time and an attempt at analyzing future performance
Duration:
about 90 minutes
Type of lecture:
Powerpoint-presentation with demonstration gems. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 500 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel as well as possible rental fees for beamer and screen if these cannot be provided by the organizer.
Ruby - Sapphire - Emerald
Identification - appraisal - sale
Confidence based on sound knowledge is the prerequisite to succesful sales.
This lecture emphasises arguments to answer frequently asked questions of customers.
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Salespersons
Purposes:
- communication of extended know-how for identification and comparative appraisal
- communication of essential arguments in sales talks
Contents:
- historical and active mining sites
- identifying features
- quality criteria
- legitimate and illegitimate treatments and their identification
- possible misidentifications
- side note: identification of glass at the sales table
- availability (which shape is available up to which size?)
- dangers e.g. in soldering, setting and cleaning
Duration:
about 120 minutes
Type of lecture:
Powerpoint presentation. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 500 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel as well as possible rental fees for beamer and screen if these cannot be provided by the organizer.
The soft spots of hard stones
How to handle sensitive gemstones
The lecture explains which precautions have to be taken when working with gemstones and provides answers to questions like:
- Can I leave this stone in the setting during soldering?
- Can I leave this stone in the setting during electroplating?
- Can I clean this stone ultrasonically?
- Is this stone sensitive to acids or brine?
- Is this stone particularly brittle and difficult to set?
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Gem setters, Salespersons, Company Gem Buyers
Purposes:
- To get to know the weak points of common gemstones
- To avoid damages caused by improper handling
Contens:
- All major gemstones, from Agate to Zircon, will be discussed.
Duration:
about 60 minutes
Type of lecture:
Oral lecture with demonstration material. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 250 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel.
Gem Buyers Guide
What gem buyers should pay attention to
The lecture concentrates on quality grading of coloured gems. It emphasises problems (replacements of gems or expansion of an existing piece of jewellery to a set) arising from the non-availability of certain colours and sizes and presents counter-strategies.
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Salespersons, Company Gem Buyers
- Collectors, Gem and Jewellery lovers
Purposes:
- Communication of quality criteria
- Communication of market knowledge with emphasis on availability
Contens:
- The 4 Cs of gemstone grading (Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat)
- What´s a good cut?
- Mother Nature is no paintshop – possible and impossible gem colours
- Do coloured gems have to be loupeclean? A plea for inclusions
- What money does not buy – about the non-availability of certain sizes
- About the downsides and dangers of buying in the country of origin
- Gemstone first or setting first? About the diverse positions of goldsmiths and gem dealers
- Beware of the bargain! About the loss of image and customers through cheap buys
Duration:
about 60 minutes
Type of lecture:
Oral lecture with demonstration material. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 250 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel.
Garnet - a monograph
A comprehensive account of the complex garnet group
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Salespersons
- Collectors and dedicated gem lovers
Purposes:
- communication of comprehensive knowledge of all garnet species and varieties
- introduction and demonstration of simple instruments for identification
- communication of prices and availability on the world markets
Contents:
History, physical properties and crystallography, modern garnet science, garnet classification, a comprehensive treaty of garnet species and varieties, information about prices and availability, methods and simple instruments for identification
Duration:
about 75 minutes
Type of lecture:
Powerpoint-presentation with demonstration material of all kinds of garnets. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 250 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel as well as possible rental fees for beamer and screen if these cannot be provided by the organizer.
Beryl - a monograph
Emerald, Aquamarine, Golden Beryl, Morganite and other Beryls
Target groups:
- Goldsmiths, Jewellers, Salespersons
- Collectors and dedicated gem lovers
Purposes:
- communication of comprehensive knowledge of all beryl varieties
- introduction and demonstration of simple instruments for identification
- communication of prices and availability on the world markets
Contents:
History - from 3500 B.C to the 21st centry, mineralogy (physical and optical properties), a comprehensive treaty of all beryl varieties including beryl locations and numerous photos of typical inclusions, information about prices and availability, methods and simple instruments for identification
Duration:
about 75 minutes
Type of lecture:
Powerpoint-presentation with demonstration material of various beryl varieties. Printouts will be made available to all participants free of cost. In case of large numbers of participants (congress) the organizers will be charged a contribution to the printing costs.
Price:
€ 250 plus VAT and possible costs for accomodation and travel as well as possible rental fees for beamer and screen if these cannot be provided by the organizer.
