GO 340 Gemstones & Gemology ES 567 Gemstones of the World GO 340 A - campus, undergraduate; ES 567 C-campus, graduate-3 credits GO340 ZA - online, undergraduate; ES 567 XA-online only graduate-2 credits Dr. Susan Ward Aber, Geologist & Gemologist Emporia State University Emporia, Kansas USA Welcome to the Fall Sememster Online August 15-December 7, 2012 Campus August 21-December 4, 2012 http://academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/go340/syllabus.htm

Gemstones of the World and our gem course happy face!! Pearls: Saltwater Akoya (top strand - hybrid of Pinctada chemnitzii and Pinctada fucata martensii), South Sea Golden (Pinctada maxima), Black Tahitian (Pinctada margaritifera); Freshwater Chinese (Hyriopsis cumingii - lower, right strand-natural colors). Photo by J.S. Aber, 6/2011.

Fall Semester 2012

Gemstones and Gemology is an introduction to minerals and rocks sufficiently beautiful to be labeled as gemstones and to methods practiced by gemologists and jewelers to identify these works of nature and humankind. This course will cover the study of specific gem materials, identification and testing methods, cutting and polishing, synthetically manufactured gems, precious metals and alloys, sources and origins of gems from around the world. If you have enrolled for the 2012 fall semester course, email me now to introduce yourself; provide me with your preferred email address, current hometown/state/country, and 2 reasons for taking this course. I look forward to hearing from you! For this course, lectures will be provided online, with links from this syllabus webpage, and assignments/tests will be emailed to you.

Dr. Susan Aber academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/abersusa.htm

620-341-5977 esu.abersusie@gmail.com

Gem Tidbits Course Facebook

Back to the table of contents.

	Required text: Schumann, W. (1997). Gemstones of the world. NY: Sterling Publishing Co, Inc. Obtain the newest edition if possible.
The textbook may be purchased on the ESU campus bookstore, ordered online, http://emporia.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=51056&catalogId=10001, or from your favorite book source. You will be advised if supplementary resources are needed during the semester, which may be found at a library near you or online.
Academic dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism is not tolerated in this class and penalties will result. See ESU policy at www.emporia.edu/esuclass/dishones.htm. Also... Emporia State University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students need to contact the Director of Disability Services, http://www.emporia.edu/disability/, and the professor as early in the semester as possible to ensure that classroom and academic accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. All communication between students, the Office of Disability Services, and the professor will be strictly confidential.

Date	Topic	Assignment	Readings and Sites of Interest
Aug. 15	Introductions, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/gem.htm Definitions, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/define.htm	Introductory Fun Quiz this quiz is for fun-no grade Assignment00 Due 8/22/2012	Schumann: Introduction pg. 8-13, Description of Gemstones pg. 68-69 Schuman page numbers are based on my edition and may vary in yours! Tucson- Gem and Mineral Shows!
Aug. 22	The Mystic of Gems, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/gemlore.htm Introduction to Origin and Occurrence, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/origins.htm	Assignment 1 Due 8/29/2012	Schumann: Introduction pg. 14-15, Deposits & Production pg. 52-57, Agate pg. 126-149, Symbolism pg. 247-248. Agate and Chalcedony, Gem Briefs A, RealGems.org, A.
Schuman page numbers given are based on my book edition. This may vary from yours! Find the correct section in your book and read...
Aug. 29 - Sept. 5	Chemical Properties, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/chemical.htm Crystal Structure, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/crystal.htm	Homework 2 Due 9/12 Celebrate Labor Day http://www.history.com/topics/labor-day 9/3/2012	Schumann: Structure of Gems pg. 14-18, Description of Gems pg. 68-9, 128, 154-7 Chrysoprase, Jade, Gem Briefs, B-C RealGems.org, B-C.
Sept. 5-12	Physical Properties, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/physical.htm Visual Properties, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/visual.htm	Review with Gem Defined Gem Magnification That is Homework 3 and...	Schumann: Properties of Gems pg. 19-26, 44-51, 98-9, 158-9 Peridot and Alexandrite
Sept. 19-26	Optical Properties, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/optical.htm Gem Testing Instruments, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/gemtest.htm	Homework 3 ...inside Test 1! Due 9/26	Schumann: Optical Properties pg. 27-43, 104-6 Garnet, Gem Briefs, D-J and RealGems.org, D-J.
Sept. 17-26	Test 1 ...and some!	Due 9/26	Lectures and readings to date
Sept. 26-Oct. 3	Precious Metals, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/gold.htm Working With Silver, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/silver.htm	Homework 4 Due 10/10, Begin thinking about final project (due 11/30-early bird points or 12/7)	Schumann: Optical Properties pg. 31-37, Gold/Silver pg. 208, Malachite pg. 176 Malachite Gem Briefs, K-N; and RealGems.org, K-N.
Oct. 3-10	Wire Wrap, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/wrap.htm Gem Fashioning, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/cut.htm and Greer Workshop and Equipment, academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/go340/equipment.htm	Homework 5 Due 10/17 Midterm Grades due 10/17	Schumann: Gold/Silver pg. 208, Opal pg. 150-3 Opal and Gem Briefs, O-R; and RealGems.org, O-R.
Oct. 10-17	Gem Creation, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/create.htm Gem Enhancement, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/treat.htm	Homework 6: Gem Show Reports Due One Week After Attendance See library resources former reports.	Schumann: Inclusions pg. 49-51, Cutting/Polishing pg. 58-67, Diamond Cut pg. 80-81, Imitations pg. 242-246, Turquoise, pg. 170-1 - Turquoise Gem Briefs, S-Z, RealGems.org, S-Z. http://www.fieldgemology.org/: A Travel Blog
Oct.-when? Nov. 1 - 14	Test 2	Change of plans! Lectures and readings to come!	Final Course Project

Date	Topic	Assignment	Readings and Sites of Interest
Oct. 17-Oct. 31 and beyond!	... Gemstone Evaluation, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/evaluate.htm Diamonds, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/diamond.htm	Sorry for delay - Sent Test 2 on 11/1/2012 Due 11/14/12	Schumann: Diamonds pg. 70-81 Go to Gemlinks, www.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/gemlinks.htm for external gem links!
Oct. 31-Nov. 7	Emerald, www.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/beryl.htm Pearl, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/pearl.htm	...work on Test 2	Schumann: Emerald-Beryl pg. 90-97, Pearl pg. 222-32
Nov. 7-14	Ruby and Sapphire, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/corundum.htm Tanzanite, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/tanzanit.htm	...work on Test 2 Due 11/14/12 Veterans' Day holiday, 11/11/12	Schumann: Corundum pg. 82-89, Tanzanite pg. 160-1
Nov. 14-21	Amber, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/ambers.htm Amethyst, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/amethyst.htm	Homework 6-GemShowReport! Due 11/21	Schumann: Amber pg. 228-9, Amethyst pg. 118-9, Quartz group pg. 126-149
Nov. 21-28	Topaz, academic.emporia.edu/ earthsci/amber/go340/topaz.htm Tourmaline, academic.emporia.edu/ abersusa/go340/tourmali.htm	Homework 7 Due 11/28 Happy Thanksgiving! 11/22-23	Schumann: Topaz pg. 102-103, Tourmaline pg. 110-13
Nov. 28-Dec. 5	Final Project Completion!	Due 12/7/11 Final Project Due 12/7	Lectures and readings to date
Dec. 7	Web Presentations Online	Have a great holiday season!

This page originates from the Earth Science department for the use and benefit of students enrolled at Emporia State University. For more information contact the course instructor, S. W. Aber, e-mail: esu.abersusie@gmail.com Thanks for visiting! Webpage created: August, 1999; last update: November 6, 2012.