Gem ID for Life! Lancaster 2025

• Day One: Obligatory Observation and Screening

Learn how to really look at the features of different gemstones to be able to recognise them. You'll start to "sense check" stones, whether what you see adds up to what you're being told the stone is.

You'll use a magnet and LWUV light to do quick screening tests on gems.

You will be working mostly with your loupe, but looking at gemstones and recognising features, is the most important skill you can have when it comes to identifying gemstones.

By the end of the day, you will be able to give a justified opinion as to whether a stone is natural or artificial.

• Day Two: Practical Polariscope

Firstly you will build on what you learnt in the first session and make sure you LOOK AT every stone and make mental observations.

Then, you'll start by getting excited by science. A little introduction into how light works, and how we use it in the context of a polariscope, and you will get it, we teach science in a way that makes sense.

Then you'll work through a series of practical exercises where I show you how to interpret reactions on a polariscope and how to use this to narrow down the identity of common and commercial gemstones.

By the end of the day, you will be able to SEPARATE many similar looking gems from each other, eg sapphire & kyanite, topaz and aquamarine, kunzite and morganite and sometimes even identify quartz. 

• Day Three: Rule the Refractometer

You'll start by learning how light works with a refractometer, so you understand the why as well as the how.

Then you'll work through hands-on, with full guidance from me, how to take readings. You'll go through lots of stones with known readings so you can get lots of practice independently working at your own pace, with as much support as you need.

By the end of the day, you'll have the skills be able to IDENTIFY most common and commercial gems! (as long as you follow the process, and practice)

• Day Four: Successful Spectroscope

You will Succeed with your Spectroscope. You'll look at a rainbow produced by your spectroscope by passing light through gemstones, and learn to see the characteristic patterns produced by certain gemstones.

By the end of the day using this along with reviewing observation, polariscope and refractometer, you'll be identifying even trickier gemstones!

• Day Five: Total Testing

This is where you pull it all together. You’ll review the full gem testing process, how you observe and test stones, and review results and use this to come up with a justificable conclusion. Based on your new skills, science and data (not guessing). 

Your conclusion will be one of three things;  

1. An identification of a gemstone, it’s something you’re familiar with and you prove through testing that is what it is. 
2. An educated opinion of the ID of the gemstone, you’re pretty sure it is what you think it is, but you cannot necessary categorically prove it, maybe you can't get full test results, maybe it overlaps with something else, maybe  it is a new material to you.
3. A stone that needs to be referred elsewhere. (Experienced emmologists get this all the time too – gemmology is hard!) maybe it is a very tricky ID, or maybe it is omething that needs to go to an expert or a lab. 

It is just as important for you to be able to come up with an educated opinion, or a referral as it is an ID. Knowing when something is outside of your limits and NOT GUESSING is a key skill! (Our students do robust gemmology, they are not negligent or cavalier)

You’ll also run through some other tests that you can use to help, such as dichroscope, and Chelsea colour filter, so you can consider building these into your repertoire in future. Then the bulk of the day will be spent practicing the process and filling in any gaps, and honing your skills. 

Finally you will prove to your self that you can do this, by testing some unknown stones, similar to those that you may encounter in your working life to come up with the best conclusion. Remember we do not always need to know what something is, sometimes it is enough just to know what it isn't!

You do not need previous specialised knowledge or skills, we will teach you all the theory and skills you need to succeed in the course.

Experience with handling, or working with gemstones, and general knowledge of common and commercial gemstones is beneficial, but not necessary.

If you've never seen a gemstone before, it will take you a bit longer to pick up, but we make sure we start with the basics of everything you're going to be doing so you understand and learn it.

The class is delivered in English so being fluent in English is essential. We do work with numbers for some measurements, so a very basic understanding of numbers is all you need.

The indicative levels of literacy and numeracy required for the course are as follows: 

• Literacy: Level 1 of the UK basic skills national standards, or equivalent. 
• Numeracy: Level 1 of the UK basic skills national standards, or equivalent.

To help you budget, you can pay in up to 10 instalments. Just select "Gem ID Payment Plan" at checkout.

We will send you invoices for your monthly payments, just follow the instructions and set up a monthly standing order for your payment. Standing orders mean we both have less admin!

Anyone who has met Kerry Gregory, knows she’s a one woman whirlwind! Passionate, funny and motivating, and her lessons are always fast paced, practical and entertaining.

A past long term tutor and head of ATC for Gem-A, she served on the board of Gem-A, and ran one of the UK Branches. She holds the full diplomas in both gemstones and diamonds from both Gem-A as well as GIA. She got 97% in the incredibly difficult and well respected FEEG qualification, and she holds a level 6 Diploma in Education and Training specialising in Adult Education. She keeps up her market knowledge and practical skills, by attending international gem fairs and conferences as well as taking extra classes in gemmology every year.

Currently on the Board of Trustees for the Silversmiths and Jewellers Charity (UK), and a key contributor to the National Association of Jewellers (UK) Professional Trade Standards Committee, particularly focusing on Gemstones, Diamonds and Hallmarking practices. Kerry is also a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the City of London, and the most recent appointee to the British Hallmarking Council committee.

Kerry started Gemmology Rocks, after a career of Retail Jewellery, Valuing, Pawnbroking and plenty of hands-on Gemmology. To deliver hands-on practical education to businesses and individuals, that gets to the root of frustrations. Providing development, support, solutions and education to tackle the stuff that makes a difference every day in business, and makes everyone more money! To deliver education of the highest standard, she has completed a Teaching Qualification specialising in teaching adults outside of running a full time business!

Kerry has also delivered presentations, and workshops to critical acclaim, to many organizations and associations including; The National Association of Jewellers (UK), GIA Alumni Chapters, UK Assay Offices, The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, The American Gem Trade Association and Gemworld International. She has had numerous articles on practical gemology published in both UK and US publications, and is renowned for her practical, down-to-earth style that gets people enthused and educated.

Ask anyone who has studied with Kerry before, and you will get nothing but a glowing reference!

Come to one of our Open Days, or any of our Sunday Fundays, and get to know us, ask any questions you want.

Alternatively email us at chat@gemmologyrocks.com, and we can answer anything you want.

Or you can book in for a half hour Tea & Chat, and go over anything you want.

No problem, we will be doing more of these, and in other locations. Simply fill out our very quick form, and tell us when and where best suits you, and we will try and put on a class near you.