Description
Gemmologists value precious stones by analysing their characteristics, cuts, and provenience either for trading or for further polishing efforts. They assess stones and gems to give them a market value.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to gemmologist:
gemmology research analyst
gemmology scholar
gemstone buyer
mining gemologist
gemstone assessor
consultant gemologist
mineral gemmologist
jewellery gemologist
gemmology analyst
jewellery gemmologist
mineral gemologist
gemmology research scientist
gemstone valuer
gemmology researcher
gemstone appraiser
gemmology science researcher
gem stone buyer
gem stone assessor
mining gemmologist
gem stone valuer
stone buyer
gem stone appraiser
gemologist
consultant gemmologist
gemmology scientist
Minimum qualifications
A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a gemmologist.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Gemmologist is a Skill level 3 occupation.
Gemmologist career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to gemmologist.
jewellery and watches shop manager
air pollution analyst
desalination technician
metallurgical technician
mine safety officer
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of gemmologist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of gemmologist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
jewellery designer
exploration geologist
foundry manager
assayer
environmental geologist
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of gemmologist.
- Gemstones: Types of minerals or petrified materials that are cut and polished for use in jewellery, classified according to type, characteristics, and value.
- Gemology: The branch of mineralogy that studies natural and artificial gemstones.
- Gemstone grading systems: Systems used by different institutes to analyse and grade gemstones e.g. Gemological Institute of America, Hoge Raad voor Diamant and European Gemological Laboratory.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of gemmologist.
- Recognise fake goods: Identify imitation and counterfeit products using methods and equipment such as microscopes and laboratory analysis in order to determine their properties.
- Immerse gemstones in chemical liquid: Use chemical solutions to identify the properties of gemstones.
- Operate microscope: Operate a microscope, an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye to see.
- Write gemstone grading report: Write a grading report to determine the quality of gemstones.
- Identify gemstones: Determine the identity of gemstones by doing a series of tests.
- Use gemstone identification equipment: Operate equipment to identify gemstones such as scales, refractometer, and spectroscope.
- Examine gems: Closely examine gemstone surfaces using polariscopes or other optical instruments.
- Calculate value of gems: Determine appraised value of gemstones such as diamonds and pearls; study price guides, market fluctuations and grades of rarity.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of gemmologist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Precious metals: Types of rare metals that occur naturally and have a high economic value.
- Alloys of precious metals: Types of material that consist of two or more metals or non-metals.
- Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of gemmologist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Advise customers on jewellery and watches: Provide customers with detailed advice on watches and pieces of jewellery available in the store. Explain about different brands and models and their characteristics and features. Recommend and provide personal advice on pieces of jewellery, according to the customer’s needs and preferences.
- Trade in jewellery: Buy and sell jewellery, or serve as an intermediate between potential buyers and sellers.
- Polish gemstones: Use polishing agents or fine grades of diamonds to remove small amounts of stone in order to get a shiny surface that will improve light refraction or reflection.
- Determine origin of gemstones: Apply various determination methods such as spectroanalysis, optical analysis by microscope, and chemical or surface analysis to collect information that will help distinguishing gemstones from different localities.
- Cut gem stones: Cut and shape gemstones and jewellery pieces.
- Conduct jewellery market research: Conduct market research in order to identify which types of jewellery items are popular at a specific time: earrings, rings, neckwear, wrist wear, etc.
- Appraise gemstones: Assess and analyse cut and polished gemstones, determine if they are natural or synthetic and verify their worth. Look at the gem’s colour, clarity, and cutting properties in order to grade their value.
- Develop jewellery designs: Develop new jewellery designs and products, and modify existing designs.
- Model mineral deposits: Geologically model mineral deposits in order to determine their location, their aspect and their economic potential.
ISCO group and title
3315 – Valuers and loss assessors
References
- Gemmologist – ESCO
- Gemologists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more – RaiseMe
- Featured image: Photo by Nestor Cortez from Pexels