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Introductory
ideas:
- Gems have been part
of human history for over 20,000 years.
- very early gems
were generally of organic materials.
- most gems used
today are inorganic minerals.
- early crystal gems
were probably derived from alluvial sources.
- as found, gems are
rather ordinary-looking, unlike cut gemstones:
- there are many
different kinds of gems, and most come in many colors
- gems can be
synthesized
- gems can be
enhanced (and most commonly are)
- simulants are
different from synthetics
- names: trade or
commercial names obscure the true
identity of a gemstone or simulant material
In this course we will consider
what gems are, the factors that affect their value, where gems form, how gems
are identified, why gems are colored, and other important gemology concepts
such as simulants, synthetics, gemstone enhancement, and related issues.
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