Spanish Gem Academy - Palma de Mallorca (2022)

Module One - Basic Gemmology

Week One / Two

The Origin and Chemical Nature of Gemstones, Physical and Optical Properties, Basic Crystallography, The Absorption of Light and The Spectroscope, The 3 R’s - Reflection, Refraction and the Refractometer, Test (Lessons 1 to 5)

Week Three

Polarized Light and the Polariscope, Pleochroism, the Dichroscope and Colour Filters Specific Gravity, Luminescence, Magnification and Thermal Conductivity, Final Test (Lessons 1 to 10)

Module Two - Advanced Gemmology

Week Four

Imitation Stones, Composite Assembled Stones, Verneuil Flame Fusion Method, Czochralski Pulling Method, Flux Melt Method

Week Five

Hydrothermal Method, Skull Crucible Method, Zone Melt Method, Horizontally Oriented Crystallization Method, Synthesis of Diamond, Sublimation Method Test (Lessons 1 to 11), Modified Stöber Method, Jadeite, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Malachite & Coral, Less Common Lab-created Gemstones

Module Three - Gem Identification

Week Six

Introduction to Gemstone Treatments & Enhancements, Heat Treatment, Surface & Sub-Surface Diffusion, Irradiation, Fracture Filling, HPHT Treatment, Surface Modifications, Advanced Gem Testing Techniques, Final Test (Lessons 1 to 22)

Week Seven

Practical Workshop: Lab-created and Treated Gems

Week Eight

Gem Identification, Colourless & White Gemstones, Red Gemstones, Pink Gemstones Orange Gemstones

Week Nine

Yellow Gemstones, Green Gemstones, Blue Gemstones, Violet & Purple Gemstones, Brown Gemstones, Black & Grey Gemstones, Phenomenal & Unusual Gemstones, Final Test

Week Ten

Practical Workshop: Gem Identification #1

Week Eleven

Practical Workshop: Gem Identification #2

Module Four - Coloured Gemstones

Week Twelve

Gem Mining, Gem Cutting, Coloured Gemstone Grading, Test (Lessons 1 to 3)

Week Thirteen

Practical Workshop: Coloured Gemstone Grading #1

Week Fourteen

Practical Workshop: Coloured Gemstone Grading #2

Week Fifteen

Corundum, Beryl, Chrysoberyl, Spinel, Zircon

Week Sixteen

Topaz, Test (Lessons 4 to 9), Tourmaline, Peridot, Quartz

Week Seventeen

Garnet, Tanzanite, Lapis Lazuli, Test (Lessons 10 to 15), Turquoise

Week Eighteen

Opal, Jade, Spodumene, Feldspar, Iolite, Andalusite, Diopside, Apatite, Test (Lessons 16 to 24)

Week Nineteen

Coral, Jet, Amber, Ivory, Pearls, Test (Lessons 25 to 29)

Week Twenty / Twenty-One

Additional Lab time and Reviews, Final Examinations

Module Five - Diamonds

Week Twenty-Two / Twenty-Three

Physical and Optical Properties, Diamond Mining, Diamond Cutting Fancy Coloured Diamonds, Diamond Grading, Final Test (Lessons 1 to 5)

Week Twenty-Four / Twenty-Five

Practical Workshop: Diamond Grading & Lab-created Diamonds

Final Examinations