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Gem Essentials: What Every Jeweler Should Know
Many jewelers develop strong technical skills, but lack a clear understanding of the materials they are working with. The misjudgment of a stone's durability and risk factors can lead to stones breaking during setting and damage from heat, pickle or cleaning. These common mistakes are predictable - and avoidable.
In this introductory, bench-focused course, jewelers will gain the essential knowledge needed to work safely with gemstones. If you handle stones at the bench - setting, repairing, cleaning, or designing - this course will help you understand what you are actually working with.
In this workshop, we will focus on three core areas:
- How to observe and describe gemstones clearly (basic gemological vocabulary)
- How to assess durability and risk using a practical framework
- How treatments affect gemstone behavior (and how to avoid damaging them)
Today’s gem market includes a wide range of treated and lab-grown stones. Without a basic understanding of these materials, it is easy to make decisions that lead to damage - often without realizing why. This course gives you the foundation to recognize - and avoid - risk before it becomes a problem.
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page
Meet the instructor
Christine is a Quebec based sustainable jeweler, gemologist and designer. She established her modus operandi on a quest for excellence and the importance of innovation. Working from her studio, she produces unique collections as well as highly personalised one-of-a-kind pieces.
Graduating head of her class at Ecole de Joaillerie et des Métaux D’Art de Montreal Christine then underwent an apprenticeship with Robert Ackermann, a Swiss-German master jeweller. This apprenticeship proved to be a career changing experience, allowing her to bring the highest quality of skill to her work.
Christine has been an instructor in jewelery making and gemology for the last 25 years and currently teaches at École de Joaillerie de Montréal. Her main objective is to advance her art and share her knowledge in the sciences of metallurgy and gemology as well as to inform her students about the dire issues of sustainability in the jewelery industry. 2016 was a highlight in her teaching profession as she won the Niche award – Educator of the Year for North America.
After winning a design competition, Christine became the designer and manufacturer of the CALQ (Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec) insignia, an honour awarded to Quebec artists for their talent and cultural contribution.
Most recently, she has won first prize in the 100 Fairmined Challenge in the Best Silver Collection category.
Christine’s designs can be found in galleries and boutiques in Montreal sand Ottawa and have appeared in magazines such as Elle Quebec, Jewellery Business, and Canadian Jeweller.
Christine is a member of the prestigious Gem-A Gemmological Association of Great Britain. She is also a member of the ethical jewelery movement and a member of the Ethical Metalsmiths Association whose mission is to promote responsible jewelery practices through education, connection and action.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is encouraged but not required.