| DATE | TOPIC | LAB | READING |
| Jan. 21 | What is a Gem? | No Lab first week | Ch. 1 |
| 23 | Physical Properties | Ch. 5; p. 53-63 | |
| 26 | Atoms, Elements & Crystals | Physical Properties & Intro. to Cab. Lab (Rm. 6) | Ch. 3 |
| 28 | Light & Color | Ch. 3 | |
| 30 | Light & Color in Gems | Ch. 3, 6 | |
| Feb. 2 | Phenomena in Gems | Physical Properties, Color | Ch. 6 |
| 4 | Phenomena in Gems II (last day to drop with possible refund) |
Ch. 6 | |
| 6 | Crystal Shapes | Ch. 4; 32-41 | |
| 9 | Symmetry and Crystal Systems | Quantifying Color (or Crystal Systems and Symmetry) |
Ch. 4; 32-41 |
| 11 | Summary and Review | Review Sheet, Old Exams | |
| 13 | Hour Exam 1 | ||
| 16 | Refraction and Dispersion of Light in Minerals (last day to drop w/o possible penalty) |
Quantifying Color (or Crystal Systems and Symmetry) | Ch. 7; p. 80-84 & handout. |
| 18 | The Critical Angle | Ch. 7, p. 84-85 & handout. |
|
| 20 | Faceting Angles; roles of the crown and pavilion | ||
| 23 | Review of refraction and critical angle considerations | Lab Exam | |
| 25 | Double Refraction & Polarization | Ch. 7, p. 91-95. | |
| 27 | Optic Axis(es) & Sign | Ch. 7, p. 96-109 | |
| March 2 | Polarization and Crystal Systems | Optical Properties | Ch. 7, p. 96-109. |
| 4 | Pleochroism | Ch. 7, p.108-110 | |
| 6 | Optical Properties and Faceting Considerations | ||
| 9 | Synthesis and Summary | Mineral I.D. II | |
| 11 | Review for Exam | Review Sheet, Old Exams | |
| 13 | Hour Exam 2 | ||
| 16-21 SPRING BREAK | |||
| 23 | Geology of Gem Deposits I | Mineral I.D. III (Fluorescence) |
Ch. 2 |
| 25 | Geology of Gem Deposits II | Ch. 2 | |
| 27 | Geology of Gem Deposits III | Ch. 2 | |
| 30 | Synthetic Gems and Imitations (last day to withdraw or drop w/approval; last day to change to CR/NCR) |
Mineral I.D. IV (Inclusions) |
Ch. 10, 11 |
| Apr. 1 | Quartz | Course notes | |
| 3 | Quartz (Chalcedony) and Opal | ||
| 6 | Beryl - Emerald |
Faceting, Cab. Lab (Begin 1st gemstone) |
|
| 8 | Beryl - Aquamarine et al. | Course notes | |
| 10 | Corundum: Ruby | ||
| 13 | Sapphire | Faceting, Cab. Lab (Must finish pavilion to continue) |
|
| 15 | Sapphire II | Course notes | |
| 17 | Diamond I | ||
| 20 | Diamond II | Faceting, Cab. Lab or Paper | |
| 22 | Diamond III | Course notes | |
| 24 | Tourmaline | ||
| 27 | Garnet | Faceting, Cab. Lab; Finish 1st gemstone Review for Lab Final |
|
| 29 | Peridot and Jade | Course notes | |
| May 1 | Topaz | ||
| 4 | Pearls | Lab Final | |
| 6 | Projects Due; Evaluations | Course notes | |
| 8 | Review for Final Exam | Old Exams | |
| 14 | FINAL EXAM 2-5 PM | ||