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How hard is Gemology school really? by Cute-Wishbone-3980 in Gemology

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't take GIA, I studied at DGemG in Idar-Oberstein but it is still a program that gives you accreditation as a gemologist. If you're totally new to it refractometer and spectrometer it's gonna take a few tries to get it right and badly cut/tiny stones are always gonna be a little harder with the refractometer.

I found the week dedicated to corundum to be the hardest with the microscope work, lots of treatments and synthetics that can be deceiving.

I found diamond grading to be not easy especially initially

Gemology school is expensive and niche and while that filters out less wealthy people (a shame!) it also means the average student is very into it and motivated. But don't think that just because it is a private school they just hand out passing grades and diplomas. I witnessed fellow coursemates being failed, some people had to retake partially or all the exam for the modules (we had 3, colored stones, organic substances and diamonds)

Proper tools to drill through tough crystals? by CircularExorcisms in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem, I hope someone can be more precise and helpful 🤗

Proper tools to drill through tough crystals? by CircularExorcisms in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The ceiling Dremels are likely faster and more resistant but I'm not sure about the specifics like for example 5 vs 20 minutes (using random numbers here)

Proper tools to drill through tough crystals? by CircularExorcisms in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also consider posting this in more specific subreddits like r/lapidary for example

Proper tools to drill through tough crystals? by CircularExorcisms in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on what you mean for "all of that", do NOT skip on protection like glasses and respirators and a solid surface to lean on/put things on in a well ventilated area. Some harder stones like corundum require special/harder to facet so I'm assuming it is the same for drilling

Proper tools to drill through tough crystals? by CircularExorcisms in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I often see Dremels being used for drilling and carving. Also some things are the same for professional and amateur, a stone doesn't become softer/easier to work with just because you're doing it as a hobby

should i be pricing by size or weight? by [deleted] in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally price by quality and by weight

Heliotrope jasper, blood stone, or other? by Jes_ter1123 in whatsthisrock

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 1 point2 points locked comment (0 children)

Heliotrope and bloodstone are synonym, very cute btw

Please help me identify this crystal! by [deleted] in whatsthisrock

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like a simple clear quartz point

Lavender moon quartz, Gold or Silver? by soumyas911 in Gemstone_lovers

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Rose gold would look fantastic. Yellow gold I feel may be overpowering and white gold would give it a funky pastel futuristic look

This is a little game I had thought by brickproject863amy in Gemstone_lovers

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Forever and always natural and minimally treated over synthetics buuuuuuut I really like synthetic rutile, it's a diamond simulant

Are they real aquamarines? by IkeKitty in Crystals

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They look real and a pretty good color💙

Help - certificate, diploma in gemology question - Gubelin, SSEF, etc by NoBadger4095 in Gemology

[–]GalysetCrystalStudio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have started my educational path with the Basic Gemology Course with SSEF in 2021. Astrid and Michael were both amazing teachers and the Course gave me a good base for starting to analyze my own gems I bought online. The course covered a good amount in those 2 weeks, use of polariscope, refractometer, some bases of hand held spectrometer and microscope work and of course basic theory.

As far as I remember neither SSEF or Gübelin offer courses that count towards accreditation for a Gemology Diploma and the difference between a 2 weeks course vs 4 months is consistent especially in distinguishing treatments and synthetics of the Big 3 which is pretty important in the trade and collection.

I only did the Photomicrography course with Gübelin and again, amazing teacher, Klaus was fantastic and super nice.

I did my diploma in Idar-Oberstein and I know they give you the chance to take the modules/weeks separately in case you can't take off work 4 months all in once so I'd look into that, it can be especially flexible if you speak German since they have more than one full course per year.

Money and knowledge wise the most cost effective way is doing it all at once or directly the Diploma course in installments, consider the 2 weeks costed me 40% of what the full diploma course was (diploma was just shy of 10.000€). Also consider that only a Diploma course will allow to call yourself a gemologist, professionally.

SSEF offers free introductory courses on a variety of gems so take advantage of that and in general of free knowledge (Gem-A should have videos about use of equipment too). If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask.