These are the gemological instruments you’ll need access to in order to complete your practical assignments:
- A fully corrected 10X loupe
- Tweezers and stone cloth
- Refractometer with polarizing filter, magnifying eyepiece, and contact liquid suitable for testing up to an RI of 1.81
- Polariscope and optic figure sphere
- Dichroscope
- Spectroscope
- Penlight
GIA also recommends a gemological microscope, an ultraviolet lamp unit, a darkfield loupe, a color filter, and an immersion cell. GIA Instruments works with GIA Research, the GIA Laboratory, and GIA Education to produce a complete line of instruments that gemologists and jewelers can use with confidence. Your instructor can help you choose gem-testing equipment that matches your needs and budget.
If you can’t afford to buy all of the instruments you need to complete this course, don’t worry; there are other options. If you work in a jewelry store, you might already have access to some of them. Or perhaps a local jeweler will lend you the necessary equipment or let you use it during certain hours. You might also consider attending one of GIA’s student labs, where the equipment is set up and ready for use. If you’re interested, contact your instructor for details.
If you didn’t get the first stone set with your course materials, don't request it until you have the necessary equipment. If you order equipment, you can’t be sure the instruments will arrive before your practice stones. If you plan to borrow instruments, make sure they’re available when the stones arrive.
Once you start your coursework, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you learn to use the instruments. Soon it will become second nature, and the confidence this gives you will help you with every aspect of your work. If you need help, contact your instructor.
