I look forward to seeing and hearing from you this semester via blog, email, and in person when possible. The blog is a way to get the word beyond the classroom and confining password protected course software; however, the campus version of this class will meet Tuesday evenings, 6-9 pm, Science Hall room 127, beginning January 27. Everyone -campus and distance student alike- is welcome to attend local and regional field trips and specifics will be forthcoming on these events.
If you are enrolled in this course for university credit, please email me, saber@emporia.edu, and introduce yourself as well as give me your preferred email address. The subject line should read GO340 Checking in! If your email address changes during the semester, notify me immediately. You can access the course at www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/. Obtain the textbook, begin lecture and text readings shown in the syllabus, and take the fun introductory quiz to test your knowledge and see a little of what to expect during the semester.
Susie
Lewton-Brain, Charles (1993). On Jewellery Career Options. WWW URL: http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/career.htm Retrieved 01/20/09).
ReplyDeleteThe author of the article, “On Jewellery Career Options”, wrote about the training and career ambitions that a person must have to pursue a variety of careers and jobs within the jewelry industry. He also commented on the need for each position and possible salaries, as well as personality traits that would be advantageous. He made many comments about the changing industry and how some positions are becoming increasingly rare and specialized.
The author classified jobs are vocations that require specialized training that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. In the case of the hand engraver, it has become a dying art. According the author, “(i)n Calgary, the last city hand engraver offered to train someone for free to take over from him – but only a serious, committed hard working person. After several years of fruitless search he withdrew the offer and retired” (Lewton-Brain, 1993). These positions are very desirable as competition is low and a specific, specialized need is filled.
This article exemplified that need for skilled artisans and workers who are properly trained in dealing with jewelry. Over time, fewer and fewer people remain who are skilled in working with these beautiful materials that are used in jewelry making. Without new students to learn the skills, whole branches of art will be lost and forgotten. From a personal standpoint, I know the difficulty of trying to find a silversmith who is knowledgeable in jewelry repair. It pains me to think that some art forms could die out with the current generations. Lastly, while I applaud progress and modernization that is creeping into the jewelry industry, we must take care that computers do not replace the men and women who breathe life into the ornaments and jewels that we so highly prize not just for their precision, but for their artistry; something no computer can replicate.
IGI. International Gemological Institute. http://igi-usa.com/igi-home.htm. Retrieved 1/15/09.
ReplyDeleteThe intent of this webpage is to inform the reader what the IGI is, the services they offer, and definitions of gem characteristics to better educate the reader. IGI stands for International Gemological Institute. IGI was founded in 1975 and currently has companies all over the world. They offer many services, some of which are “independent diamond grading reports, colored stone reports, identification and appraisal reports, diamond authentication and attestation of origin, laser inscription services, and diamond and colored stone courses” (IGI, 2009). In order to better educate the reader of the four characteristics of a diamond’s grade or quality, they list and define “The 4Cs”: carat, color, clarity, and cuts.
The author spent much time emphasizing how a person can use four of IGI’s reports to be sure they are receiving a quality gemstone. These reports are the identification report, the appraisal report, the Certificate of Authenticity, and the jewelry summation. An identification report is used to provide “a description of the gem or article of jewelry including its identification, weight, measurements, shape, cut, finish, proportions, clarity, color, where appropriate, the quality of precious stones […] an enlarged color photograph is provided, which shows the details of the article of jewelry” (IGI, 2009). The appraisal reports “are based on a constant surveillance of current retail prices through the use of a computerized network. This network monitors a cross section of the pricing structures by means of international surveys” (IGI, 2009). The Certificate of Authenticity “describes a submitted article of jewelry and assures the retail client an independent professional gemological laboratory has officially authenticated the identity of gemstones and precious metals included in an article of jewelry” (IGI, 2009). The jewelry summation summarizes “each article of jewelry’s pertinent gemological factors” (IGI, 2009).
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ReplyDeleteJames, Robert. "How do you become a gemologist?" Your Gemologist. http://www.yourgemologist.com/gemologist.html.
ReplyDeleteRetrieved 21 Jan. 2009
As a widely experienced gemologist, the author talks about the ways to become a gemologist. He emphasizes that it takes a lifelong learning to be a gemologist, because the study of gemology is a vast field and the knowledge grows and updates very fast. Thus, it is wrong to think that anyone can become a gemologist after taking several gemological courses. In addition to technical knowledge, working experience is also essential. The author informs the readers how to deal with customers by sharing one of his own working experiences in a jewelry store. What's more, he introduces some of the qualified gemological training schools and the average salary ranges of gemologists in U.S. market.
The author points out that it is necessary to get a proper gemological training, but taking courses and completing the entire program to get a diploma is just the first few steps to become a gemologist. He highly recommends a long working experience in a jewelry store, no matter appraising, buying or management, because the retail jewelry industry is the heart and soul of gemology field and the place where best money can be made. Also, one can gain more knowledge than what he/she has learned from school during working. He claims that a good gemologist is not necessarily a qualified appraiser, but it takes time to gain experience to become an appraiser from a gemologist. A knowledgable and widely experienced gemologist rather than a graduate from a gemological school with little experience is going to be paid more money.
The author concludes that "It takes time, training, and experience. You will never stop learning, but you need to get some serious experience before you start out on your own"(James, 2005).
It takes lifetime to be a gemologist. First, one needs to have a proper training in school to get a diploma, and then gain widely experience from working and practicing. Last but not least, continue learning, because there is no end of learning in the geological field.
Gem A
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gem-a.info/education.aspx
The idea of education in gemology arose in 1908 when jewelers needed to be able to tell the difference between fake, imitation, and synthetic stones. It is necessary that any jeweler or person that sells gemstones obtains one of four qualifications which include The
Foundation Certificate in Gemmology, The Diploma in Gemmology, The Diamond Practical Certificate, and The Gem Diamond Diploma.
The Foundation Certificate in Gemmology has to be obtained first before moving on to higher certificates. With the Foundation Certificate, one will learn how to identify fakes, the properties of gems and how to identify them. The Diploma in Gemmology educates a person further with more gemstones, properties, and quality of gemstones. The Diamond Practical Certificate is designed for those who need to be certified in diamonds, in a short amount of time. The last certification available is the Gem Diamond Diploma. The main point of this course is to teach a person how to measure the value of diamonds. “The syllabus covers some theory, from geology to globalization, but the emphasis is on giving you the practical skills to judge a cut diamond in your day-to-day business, to understand how quality and value is assessed and to develop your skills in interpreting oratory grading reports” (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, 2008).
There are many different times and ways for a person to obtain any of these certificates. In the field of gemology, a person must continue their education to keep up with new information.
I found on the webpage gem-a.info/education.aspx some useful information on education for someone looking to enhance knowledge and pursue a career in Gemology. The first degree is a foundation certificate in gemology, then the diploma in gemology, followed by the diamond practical certificate, and last the diamond gem certificate since diamonds and diamond set jewelry play a vital role in this industry. These classes help give the knowledge needed to understand the materials and gems in general. Hands on activities are involved in the courses so actual experience is obtained. If the diploma in gemology is earned it is one of the most accredited courses that can be taken by future gemologists.
ReplyDelete“The Gem-A Foundation course launches your gem education” (Gem-A).The author made some good points about what could be learned from these classes. The student would know what to expect before enrolling. Times and dates are available online for open classes, along with prices and methods of taking the course. Gemology takes time and experience to master but the basic skills learned will be obtained through this method.
In conclusion the author brought up all points about what different diplomas can be earned and what each class has to offer. By starting out with basic information and moving up to more in-depth knowledge of gemology and becoming a gemologist. I thought the information was useful and could help with someone pursuing a career as a gemologist.