Gemmology Course (Diploma in Gemmology D.G.)

Considering the heavy demand from the industry and general public, short term courses for identification of gemstones, treatments, as well as refresher courses in Gemmology, advance instrumentation courses etc. are introduced by the Institute. The courses are from 1 week to 1 month duration. Corporate training programme is also undertaken. For course details, contact course co-ordinator.

SYLLABUS GEMMOLOGY COURSE :

  • INTRODUCTION : Basic qualities; Chemical composition; Weights and measures.
  • CRYSTALLOGRAPHY : Nature of crystals; Systems of crystallography; Crystalline and non-crystalline materials; Forms; Habit; Twinning.
  • CRYSTALLOGRAPHY : Nature of crystals; Systems of crystallography; Crystalline and non-crystalline materials; Forms; Habit; Twinning.
  • OPTICAL PROPERTIES : Colour; Transparency; Visible Spectrum; Light Reflection; Total Internal Reflection; Single and Double Refraction; Dispersion; Polarization; Refractive index and its determination by Refractometer; Reflectivity; Reflectometers.
  • COLOUR AND CAUSES OF COLOUR : Pleochroism; Interference; Lustre; Sheen; Opalescence; Adularescence; Irridescence; Asterism; Chatoyancy.
  • INSTRUMENTS USED FOR GEM IDENTIFICATION : Jeweler’s Lens; Microscope; Spectroscope; Dichroscope; Chelsea colour filter; Ultraviolet light and X-rays; Polariscope; Refractometer.
  • SYNTHETICS, COMPOSITES AND IMITATION GEMSTONES AND PLASTICS : Different methods of manufacture; Characteristics; Identification.
  • DESCRIPTION OF GEM STONES : The varieties and colours, species, chemical composition and crystal systems, physical properties, special characteristics and provenance of the following gemstones Amber; Andalusite; Apatite; Axinite; Aragonite; Azurite; Benitoite; Beryl Emerald, Aquamarine, Heliodor, Morganite, Goshenite; Calcite; Chrysoberyl : Alexandrite, Cat’s eye; Coral; Corundum : Ruby, Sapphire, Star Ruby/Sapphire; Cassiterite; Danburite; Diamond; Diopside; Enstatite; Epidote; Feldspar Group : Moonstone, Albite, Amazonite, Orthoclase, Plagioclase, Labradorite, Sunstone, Fluorspar; Garnet Group : Almandine; Pyrope, Grossular, Andradite; Spessartite, Uvarovite; Haematite; Howelite; Idocrase; lolite; Ivory; Jadeite; Kornerupine; Kyanite; Lapis Lazuli; Malachite; Nephrite; Obsidian; Odontite; Opal : Fire Opal, White Opal, Black Opal, Water Opal; Pearl : Australian, Venezulean, Black, Blue, Freshwater; Conch, Clam, Cultured, Nucleated, Non-Nucleated, Imitation; Peridot; Phenakite; Prehnite; Pyrites; Quartz : Rock crystal, Amethyst, Citrine, Smoky Quartz; Rose Quartz; Aventurine, Quartz Cat’s eye, Tiger’s eye, Rutilated Quartz; Chalcedony Group : Chalcedony; Carnelian, Chrysoprase, Moss Agate, Onyx, Sardonyx, Jasper, Bloodstone, Rhodochrosite; Rhodonite; Sodalite; Sinhalite; Smithsonite; Sphene; Spinel : Ceylonite, Gahnospinel; Spodumene: Kunzite, Hiddenite; Steatite; Topaz; Tortoiseshell; Tourmaline : Achroite, Rubellite, Indicolite, Turquoise, Variscite; Zircon; Zoisite.
  • FASHIONING OF GEMSTONES : Procedures, processes and equipment used in cutting of diamonds and other stones. Different styles of cutting. Grading gemstones for quality of cutting.
  • TREATMENT OF GEMSTONES : Dyeing, Coating, Heat Treatment, Irradiation, Waxing, fracture filling, oiling, laser drilling, HPHT, diffusion, mass diffusion, graphitisation, composite stones, glass filling.
  • OCCURRENCES OF GEMSTONES : Geographical origin of gemstones is an important aspect in the assessment of quality of gemstones especially Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds.
  • Electrical and Magnetic properties of gemstones, conductometer.
  • Thermal conductivity and Thermal probes.
  • Marketing aspects : Gem & Jewellery industry an overview, analysis of prospects and problems of various sectors such as precious/semi precious, diamonds, pearls, synthetic, imitation, jewellery studded and plain gold.
  • Export procedures and formalities.

PRACTICALS :

  • Observation of external features (cut, colour, fractures, etc.) of a gemstones using a 10x lens;
  • Observation of external symmetry, surface marks and cleavage of various crystals and their identification;
  • Determination of hardness on Moh’s Scale using hardness pencils and hardness plates;
  • Determination of specific gravity by hydrostatic weighing method and by using heavy liquids;
  • Measurement of refractive indices and birefringence tests using a gem-testing refractometer;
  • Detection of double refraction, interference figures and internal strain with the polariscope;
  • Detection of double refraction, by observing pleochroic colours with the dichroscope and 10x lens. Identification of gemstones on the basis of pleochroic colours;
  • Study of the absorption spectra of various gemstones using a direct vision spectroscope;
  • Study of the fluorescent colours exhibited by various gemstones under ultraviolet (long wave and short wave) light;
  • Observation of the internal features of various natural and synthetics gemstones with a microscope;
  • Use of colour filters in detecting synthetic gemstones;
  • Identification of unknown gemstones using the above techniques. During the course each student individually practices and handles hundreds of gemstones;
  • An exposure to Advanced instruments such as Raman Spectroscope, FTIR, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Fluorimeter, Diamond View etc.
  • Visual Identification of various gemstones by its crystal system and other external properties;
  • Various types of cuts and introduction to how to cut gemstones;
  • Detection of treatments on gemstones;
  • Determination of origin of gemstones;

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES :

  • Project Works
  • Field Trips
  • Quiz / Seminar

RESIDENT PROGRAMME

Duration 3 1/2 Months
New Batch Commences January, April, August every year
Timings 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Tuition Fee
Examination Fee
Seminar Fee
Handbook, Certificate &
Convocation charges
Lab Deposit (Refundable)
Registration Fee Students willing to register their names in advance for the
Gemmology Course or any other courses conducted by the institute may pay the full fees in advance and confirm their admission. However, after registration, due to unavoidable circumstances, if any one wants to cancel the admission may inform the institute in writing, giving minimum of 20 days notice about their intention to cancel the admission and in such cases the full fees shall be refunded to the applicant.Whereas, it may please be noted that the fees shall not be refunded if the Institute is not informed about the cancellation of admission in writing 20 days prior to the commencement of the classes. After the commencement of the classes Fees shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
Minimum qualification Matriculation or equivalent
Medium of Instruction English
Home work Theory and objective home work assignments are to be compulsorily completed as per the schedule. At least 2 hours of reading of relevant books and materials are expected per day. Home work assignment marks will be counted for qualifying in the examination.
Project work Students have to complete a project to qualify for the examinations.
Seminar Gemmological Institute organizes seminars of gemmological interest. Attendance at seminar is compulsory.
Journal Students have to submit a completed journal to qualify for the examinations.
Attendance 100% in practical and 80% attendance in theory is compulsory.
Laboratory A sum of Rs. 1,000/- is charged to every student for the use of the Laboratory / Instruments.
Examination Theory, Oral, Practical
Theory 3 hours
Practical 2 hours
Crystallography and Viva 1 hour
Library Student are expected to make use of the Library facility available at the Institute. A sum of Rs. 1,000/- is charged towards the Library fees.
Percentage of Passing Minimum 70% in theory and oral examination; 100% in Practical examination; 90% and above in theory and 100% in practical qualify for a distinction. Home work assignment and weekly tests will also be taken into account.
Re-examination Unsuccessful students wishing to re-appear for the next examination will have to pay the examination fee of Rs.
1,000/-.
Certificate On successful completion of the course a Diploma in Gemmology. (D.G.) is awarded and such successful students can use the title “D.G.” (Diploma in Gemmology) after their name.
Boarding and Lodging Students shall have to make their own arrangements for Boarding and lodging in Mumbai.

SHORT TERM CERTIFICATE COURSE IN GEM IDENTIFICATION

Hands on Practical Approach with theory for clarity in concepts

SYLLABUS

  1. Need & introduction for Gemmology
  2. Visual Observation and Sight Identification of Gems
  3. Gem testing Instruments and their application
  4. Gemstone treatments and synthetics
  5. Rubies and red simulants
  6. Blue Sapphires and their simulants
  7. Yellow Sapphires and their simulants
  8. Emeralds and Green simulants
  9. Hessonite Garnet and Simulants
  10. Chrysoberyl Cat’s Eye and Simulants
  11. Mixed Identification

DIPLOMA IN GEMMOLOGY (D.G.) (Gemmology Correspondence Course) HOME STUDY PROGRAMME

Duration One Year
New Batch Commences January, every year, however as special case students may be enrolled during the year.
Minimum Qualification Matriculation or equivalent
Medium of Instruction English
Home work Assignments Home work assignments form the first part of the course – 11 essay assignments and 29 objective assignments which should be completed and submitted to the Institute as per schedules in the time table. Home work assignment marks will be counted for qualifying in the examination.
Practicals Practical training forms the second part of the course. The practicals at the Institute will be for 15 days, full day sessions are held every day. The practicals and the examinations for the correspondence course are held only in the month of December every year.
Boarding and Lodging Students shall have to make their own arrangements for boarding and lodging in Bombay. Students are allowed to take up practical training and examinations within 3 years from the year of enrollment.
Fees are to be paid in advance as per the following Schedule :-
Tuition fees (Practicals only) on or before 30th Oct. and Examination Fees
Library Only the reference section of the Library will be made available to the students. No home issue of books will be made.
Syllabus Syllabus is exactly the same as that of the residential course (see the Gemmology Resident Programme of the Institute)
Examinations Theory, Oral and Practical Examinations will be held once in a year. Generally it will be held in the month of December every year. Without attending practical training at the Institute, students will not be allowed to appear for the practical examinations.
Library Student are expected to make use of the Library facility available at the Institute.
Practical Examination Using the Instruments at the Institute, students are expected to find out the properties of a gemstone and identify a given number of gemstones within a given time. In addition, visual identification of various gemstones, by its crystal system and other visual properties also form a part of the examination.
Theory Examination 3 hours
Practical Examination 2 hours
Crystallography and Viva 1 hours
Percentage of Passing Minimum 70% in Theory/Oral examination and 100% in practical examination; 90% and above in theory and 100% in practical qualify for a distinction. Home work assignments and weekly tests will also be taken into account.
Re-Examination Unsuccessful students wishing to re-appear for the next examination will have to pay the examination fees of Rs. 1,000/-.
Certificate On successful completion of all the above examinations the students (Gemmology Resident/Home study) will be awarded the Diploma in Gemmology – “D.G.”.
Reference Books
  • Gems – by Robert Webster / Anderson
  • Gem Testing – by Basil W. Anderson
  • Beginners Guide to Gemmology by Peter G. Read
  • Handbook of Gem Identification by Richard T. Liddicoat
  • Gemstones – Properties and Identification – by K. T. Ramchandran and Jayshree Panjikar.