Gemology - Study of Gemstones
The study of gemology can vary from tedium to astounding
revelation. But mostly it's boring, especially at first.
It's boring oartly because you don't have a clue about what you're
reading.
Then a glimmer of understanding reaches out and grabs you and you actually begin to understand refraction or dispersion.
Be careful! When that knowledge grabs, you may be hooked. Next will come the desire for refractometers and microscopes and begging anyone for gems to study.
We hope you find some enthusiasm here among these dry pages.
If you start to develop a more keen interest in gemology, start studying minerals. After all, gems are merely optically appealing specimens of minerals that have mundane uses in their common form.
Garnet is a perfect example. It was once used as the grit on sandpaper.
If you want a more formal approach to gemology, several community colleges have excellent programs.
Find and join your local gem faceter's club. A good cutter has to know quite a lot about gems. And you may get hooked on gem cutting as well!