Class orientation and discussion on Monday, January 28, 2008, in 336 McCone at 4 p.m. Attendance of the 4-6 p.m. Monday meetings is required for all 3 credit students!
What do we mean by "gem"? And where are they found in the earth?
(1a) Start the course materials here with: What is a gem?
(1b) Then go to: Where do gems form and where are they found?
===> LAB: What is a gem and where are gems found? - February 4, 2008
open book quiz on February 8, 2008 to check understanding of Module 1.
How do we use understanding of crystals to identify gems?
(2a) Now: What is a crystal?
===>LAB: What is a crystal? - February 18th, 2008
(2b) and learn about How gems are identified
specific gravity, hardness, optical properties.
===> LAB: Gem identification - February 25, 2008
open book quiz on Friday February 29, 2008 on Module 2.
Popular gems: their value, enhancement, and synthesis
(3a) Gems: Diamond and diamond imitations
===>LAB: Diamonds and diamond immitations - March 17, 2008
Midterm at 6 p.m.Location 365 McCone (near North Gate): DATE: March 19 at 6 p.m.
NOTE in your planning that Spring Break is the following week! (March 24-28) .
The midterm is 30 questions (multiple choice) long and you will have an hour to complete it.
If you have a class conflict OR a serious personal situation that prevents your taking the mid-term at these times, you should contact your TA in advance. If this is not possible, documentation of the reason for your absence will be required prior to a discussion of a possible make up time
Note: Use periods when you have little assigned reading to work on your papers. You are encouraged to get ahead on the reading, but note the dates of the quizzes.
Module 3 continued:
(3b) Color in minerals: basic science used to explain the origin of color in gems
(3c) Corundum: ruby and sapphire : asterism, heat treatment, diffusion etc.
(3d) Beryl varieties: emerald, aquamarine, morganite, goshenite, heliodor.
===> LAB: Color, corundum, and beryl - March 31, 2008
Other popular gems, radioactivity in Gems, Inclusions in Gems
(4a) Topaz and gem modification by irradiation.
(4b) Zircon and radioactivity in gems.
(4c) Crysoberyl (cats eye, alexandrite), Rutile and Spinel
===> LAB: Topaz, zircon, crystoberyl etc. - April 14, 2008
open book quiz Friday April 18, 2008 on Modules 3 and 4
Rock-forming Minerals as Gems
(5a) Quartz (amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz) and zoisite (tanzanite) .
(5b) Olivine (peridot), Cordierite (iolite), and Feldspars (moonstone, amazonite etc.)
(5c) Pyroxenes (spodumene, jadeite, nephrite, serpentine), Tourmaline and Gem garnets
Precious Stones and Pearls
(6a) Lapis lazuli, Turquoise, Malachite and Azurite
(6b) Agate and Opals
(6c) Pearls and other organic gems
===> LAB: Olivine thorugh pearls, as above - April 21, 2008
open book quiz Friday, April 25, 2008 on Modules 5 and 6
FINAL The final exam will be offered during the exam period.