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Gemology facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Gemology (say: jem-OL-uh-jee) is a special science that studies natural and man-made gems and gemstones. Think of it as a detective job for sparkling treasures! It's part of geoscience and a branch of mineralogy, which is the study of minerals. Some people who make or sell jewelry are also trained gemologists. This means they know how to identify different gems and figure out how valuable they are.

What is Gemology?

Gemology is all about understanding gems. It looks at how they form, what they are made of, and how they can be cut and polished to look beautiful. This science helps us tell the difference between real gems and fakes. It also helps us understand if a gem has been treated in any way.

Why Study Gems?

Studying gems is important for many reasons. It helps jewelers and buyers know what they are getting. It also helps scientists learn more about the Earth. Gemologists can identify rare stones and discover new types of gems. This knowledge is key for the jewelry industry.

What Do Gemologists Do?

Gemologists use special tools to examine gems very closely. They can tell if a gem is natural or man-made. They also check for any treatments that might change a gem's look. For example, some gems are heated to make their color brighter. A gemologist can spot these changes.

Tools of the Trade

Gemologists use many cool tools. A microscope helps them see tiny details inside a gem. A refractometer measures how light bends when it passes through a gem. This helps identify the gem. They also use special lights and filters. These tools help them check a gem's color and clarity.

Images for kids

  • Gemmological microscopic examination

    Examining a pink sapphire under a gemmological microscope

  • Peridot (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 in the rough form and a cut and polished gem - Sara Abey

    Peridot in its natural form and as a cut gem

  • KA52KRS 1 m

    A special lab for studying gems while traveling

  • Portable refractometer

    A handheld tool called a refractometer

  • Three Phase in Rock Crystal Quartz, Pakistan

    Three different things trapped inside a quartz crystal

  • Curved Striations in Synthetic Color-Change Sapphire

    This synthetic sapphire shows curved lines from how it was made. Natural sapphires don't have these lines.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gemología para niños

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