OUR TRAININGS
THE WORLD OF PEARLS
Natural pearls and cultured pearls are gems which have always aroused emotions.
Born in an oyster, it is as diverse as the species that produce it and the oceans of the planet where it grows.
PUBLIC
Anyone interested in pearls
OBJECTIVES
To learn about pearls and to be able to identify the different qualities and types of natural and of cultured pearls.
COURSE CONTENTS
This course allows you to discover the biological mechanisms of pearl formation and to familiarize yourself with mollusc species. The training focusses on all aspects of the natural pearl and the cultured pearl: identification, geographical origins and gemmology.
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS
- Training provided by the French Gemmological Laboratory (LFG)
- Updated teaching, in step with the market
- A great diversity and a large quantity of pearls analysed in Lab classes
- Lab class protocols derived from LFG analysis procedures
- Training provided by highly qualified tutors and gemmologists from the LFG.
- Lab sessions in small groups (10 people maximum)
- Practical examination at the end of the training
LEARNING ASSESSMENT METHOD
- Knowledge assessment
- Certificate issued at the end of training
LEARNING ASSESSMENT METHOD
- Knowledge assessment
- Certificate issued at the end of training
PROGRAMME
Day 1 – Natural pearls
- History of the natural pearl (historical market, freshwater pearl then saltwater pearl)
- Natural pearls formation
- Main molluscs producing pearls ( freshwater and saltwater)
- Visual aspect, structure and texture
- Techniques of identification (visual and X-rays)
- Peeling, drilling, stringing techniques
- Non-nacreous pearls (molluscs, particularities)
- Natural pearl market
- Natural pearls observation
- Comparison of different qualities
- Presentation of pearl stringing tools
Day 2 – Cultured pearls
History of natural pearls (historical market, freshwater pearls then saltwater pearls)
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- Formation (graft, etc.)
- Main molluscs producing pearls (nacreous and non-nacreous)
- Treatments
- Imitations
- Cultured pearl market
- Grading criteria
- Cultured pearls observation / imitation
- Comparison of quality grades
- Workshop : identify/differentiate natural/cultured pearls/imitation and freshwater/ saltwater pearls
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Duration
14 hours
Session venue
Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie – 30, rue de la Victoire 75009 Paris