Coloured Gemstone Short Course

Delivered by Kate Holpey FGA, DGA who has over 20 years teaching experience this hands on course provides a unique opportunity to learn the standard gemmological techniques employed by practising gemmologist to identify coloured gemstones. You will cover the fundamentals of observation using the unaided eye, a 10x lens, and Microscope, and then move onto testing using instruments such as the Polariscope, Refractometer, Dichroscope, Spectroscope.

You will get the opportunity to test a wide variety of gemstones and will become familiar with the limitations of tests with regards to recognition and identification of synthetic gemstones and treated gemstones.

You will also have the opportunity to bring along some of your own gemstones to test towards the end of the course.

Kate Hopley is a graduate of the prestigious Birmingham School of Jewellery and has over 20 years teaching experience. Kate is a highly qualified Gemmologist, she is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association(Gem A) of Great Britain, a holder of the Gem-A’s Gemmology Diploma(FGA) and Diamond Diploma(DGA), and a Graduate Gemmologist(GG) of the Gemmological Institute of America(GIA). Kate runs one of only two UK based Gem-A ATC’s (Accredited Teaching Centres) for Gem-A. She is also one of the GEM-A’s accredited correspondence learning tutors. Kate specialises in the training of students to FGA and DGA level, with GEM-A world awards regularly being attained by Kate’s students who work in the jewellery industry or who are interested or enthusiastic about gemstones.