| DATE | TOPIC | LAB | READING |
| Aug 25 | Course Introduction | No Lab first week | Ch. 1, p. 9-10 |
| 27 | What is a Gem, Mineral, Crystal, Gemstone ? - recorded lecture | Ch. 5, 6, 7 | |
| 30 | Course Intro Redux; Physical Properties, Atoms, Elements & Crystals | Physical Properties & Intro. to Cab. Lab (Rm. 6) | Ch. 3 |
| Sep 1 |
Light & Color | Ch. 3 | |
| 3 | Light & Color in Gems | Ch. 8 | |
| 6 | No Class, Labor Day Holiday | Physical Properties (Specific Gravity), Color General | Ch. 8 |
| 8 | Phenomena in Gems |
Ch. 8 | |
| 10 | Phenomena in Gems II (last day to drop with possible refund) |
Ch. 4 | |
| 13 | Crystal Shapes | Quantifying Color - Spectrascope |
Ch. 4 |
| 15 | Symmetry and Crystal Systems | Review Sheet, Old Exams | |
| 17 | Summary and Review | ||
| 20 | Hour Exam 1 | Crystal Systems and Symmetry | Ch. 9 & handout. |
| 22 | Refraction and Dispersion of Light in Minerals | Ch. 9 | |
| 24 |
The Critical Angle |
Ch. 19 | |
| 27 |
Faceting Angles; roles of the crown and pavilion |
Lab Exam | Ch. 19 |
| 29 | Review of refraction and critical angle considerations for gemstone
design |
Ch. 10 | |
| Oct 1 |
Double Refraction & Polarization | Ch. 7, p. 96-109 | |
| 4 | Optic Axis(es) & Sign | Mineral I.D. I (Refractometer, Polariscope) |
Ch. 7, p. 96-109. |
| 6 | Polarization and Crystal Systems | Ch. 7, p.108-110 | |
| 8 | Pleochroism | ||
| 11 | Optical Properties and Faceting Considerations- recorded lecture |
(Dichroscope, Instrument Practice) |
handout |
| 13 | Synthesis and Summary - recorded lecture | Review Sheet, Old Exams | |
| 15 | Review for Exam | ||
| 18 | Hour Exam 2 | Mineral I.D. III (Fluorescence) |
Ch. 2 |
| 20 | Geology of Gem Deposits I | Ch. 2 | |
| 22 | Geology of Gem Deposits II | Ch. 2 | |
| 25 | Geology of Gem Deposits III | Mineral I.D. IV (Inclusions) |
Ch. 10, 11 |
| 27 |
Synthetic Gems and Imitations |
Course notes | |
| 29 | Quartz | ||
| Nov 1 |
Quartz (Chalcedony) and Opal |
Faceting, Cab. Lab (Begin 1st gemstone) |
|
| 3 | Beryl - Emerald | Course notes | |
| 5 | Beryl - Aquamarine et al. | ||
| 8 | Corundum: Ruby | Faceting, Cab. Lab (Must finish pavilion to continue) |
|
| 10 | Sapphire | Course notes | |
| 12 | Sapphire II | ||
| 15 | Diamond I | Faceting, Cab. Lab or Paper | |
| 17 | Diamond II | Course notes | |
| 19 | Diamond III | ||
| 22 | Pearls | Faceting, Cab. Lab; Finish 1st gemstone Review for Lab Final |
|
| 24 | Thanksgiving Holiday | Course notes | |
| 26 | Thanksgiving Holiday | ||
| 29 | Lab Final | ||
| Dec 1 |
Peridot and Jade | Course notes | |
| 3 | Projects Due; Evaluations | Old Exams | |
| 6 | Review for Final Exam | ||
| 10 | 2-5 PM FINAL EXAM | ||