Gemmology and Jewellery Studies with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

This module introduces you to gemmological theory, and the earth processes that create minerals and organic gemstones. You will study the underlying geology of gemstone formations and handle rough gem crystals, whilst learning how to explain the physical and optical properties of a wide range of different gem materials.

This module introduces you to the skills and techniques of practical gemmology where you will develop stone testing experience through the use of a range of standard gemmological instruments, and gain familiarity with a representative suite of gem materials, utilising the learning which you gain in the gemmology theory module.

History and Culture of Jewellery stimulates enquiry around the influences that have shaped attitudes to jewellery around the world from a historical and cultural perspective. It allows you to identify your own personal interest in sectors of the market by exploring material preferences, considering the social context and values, and discovering the global distinctions.

This module develops the learning from the Semester 1 theoretical module, and introduces synthetic, simulant and treated gemstones. You will learn the different production methods for a variety of synthetic gem materials, and how to identify these from natural stones.

This module builds on the practical skills that you gained in the Semester 1 introductory module, and further develops your techniques in coloured gemstone testing and identification. You will learn to identify a range of synthetic materials, common simulants, and treated gemstones using a variety of methods. You will also have the opportunity to test gemstones set into jewellery, and to develop your diamond grading skills to produce accurate plotting diagrams.

This module is designed to build on the Level 4 modules to further expand your knowledge and skill in gemstone testing, and to increase the range of gemstones and equipment that you are familiar with.

On completion of the module, you will have developed your basic gem testing abilities so that you can undertake critical analysis of testing techniques on a wide variety of organic, non-organic, ornamental, natural, artificial and treated stones, in rough and fashioned forms, both loose and mounted in jewellery. In addition, you will learn advanced diamond grading and plotting, and you will also be introduced to the laboratory testing skills of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.

You will also become familiar with specialist gemmological terms and vocabulary, and how to present relevant information clearly and accurately. These accurate and specialist skills will be central to your future employment.

On completion of the module, you will be able to describe a wide range of gemstone phenomena and characteristics and explain more advanced gemmological concepts and theories, particularly in the areas of light, optics and causes of colour. You will learn how these apply to determination of gemstone locality, and will be able to explain a wide variety of mechanisms that cause colour in gemstones. This module will also build on the concepts explored in GEM4011 by further exploring defects in diamonds, and the knowledge gained in GEM4014 by looking at more advanced methods of gemstone synthesis.

You will also become familiar with specialist gemmological terms and vocabulary, and how to present relevant information clearly and accurately.

Organic materials are amongst some of the earliest gem materials used by man. This module is designed to develop your specialist knowledge of a range of organic gem materials (pearls, coral, shell, jet, tortoiseshell, ivory, horn, and amber), to learn methods of identification, treatments, simulants, and methods of pearl culturing. Additionally, you will explore and debate the ethics surrounding the use of various materials, protection of endangered species, and restrictions in dealing and shipping of organic materials. The practical element of this module will teach you to detect organic gems by observational features, and the principles of pearl grading.

Jade is a gem material with huge commercial and cultural importance. Its history stretches back for thousands of years, and has not only been used in jewellery, but for ornamental purposes, religious artefacts, and even weaponry. This module is designed to enable you to explore jadeite and nephrite in greater depth, their history, geological origins, treatments, and common simulants, and to analyse and understand the cultural significance of these unique gem materials.

This module invites you to reflect on your intended position within the industry post-graduation, and to engage in a cycle of experiential learning to ensure that you capitalise on the opportunities available once you have left the programme.

Advanced gemmology and analytical techniques is designed to equip you with both the theory, intellectual context and application of the ‘state of the art’ scientific testing techniques utilised in both the gem and diamond industries. It will also provide you with the intellectual skills and confidence required to tackle challenges you will encounter in your future career. The module is designed to encourage you to explore, investigate and research as inherent aspects of the learning process. To allow you to develop the transferable skills of problem solving and self-reliance.

In commerce value is an intrinsic and fundamentally important aspect, therefore the skills and knowledge you gain within this module can find useful application in many aspects of the industry.

This module builds on your knowledge of the concepts of valuation covered in modules from level 4 and 5 of the degree. Your knowledge and understanding of gemstones, jewellery, metals and their relative valuations introduced at levels 4 and 5 will be enhanced in both breadth and sophistication.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-based portfolio.