Universities

Professor Jill Banfield's "Gems and Gem Minerals" course work and other gem-related materials. Site has extensive image libraries and information sheets.  ^recommended!

NOVA's website accompanying their 2001 broadcast on Diamonds. Articles include those of well known authors and gemologists in the field.  

NOVA's companion web site for its documentary "The Perfect Pearl", broadcasted on March 27, 2007. This website offers information about the history of pearls, problems pearls face today, transcripts, teacher's guides, and other resources (e.g. article by known gem expert and author Fred Ward). 

ACS (American Chemical Society) cover story (article by Amanda Yarnell) on how heat treatment and chemical additives can make mundane stones look they are exclusive fancy/colored/rare diamonds/gems. A MUST READ before purchasing diamonds or gemstones! 

Article by Rachel Petkewich. What does a Gemologist need these days, since treatments of gemstones have become so sophisticated. As a consumer, what would you expect your jewelry expert (jeweler, gemologist) to know as a guarantee for what you are buying ? 

Article by Rachel Petkewich. As gemstone treatments become more complex, will the lab replace the loupe? This article provides more insight of what it takes to analyze a gem such as a sapphire these days. How does this reflect on the jewelry you buy and should you demand more from the person who sells it to you ?  

General Masters Degree for Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry. This site also contains photos of exhibits & mineral specimans and information in English from their mineralogical museum (i.e. Mineralogical Museum of the University of Hamburg). Also included is an extensive "Type Specimen Catalogue". 

Extensive calculator for estimating weight of gems and diamonds which are already set in jewelry. You need to take pretty exact measurements and know the type of cut as well as the depth of the stone which can be difficult to measure if the stone is already set. Still quite an interesting tool.