Advanced Coloured Gemstones
Practical training in origin determination and treatment detection of ruby, sapphire and emerald
Duration: 5 days ( 1 week)
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Language: English
Group size: 9 students max.
Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Knowledge in gemmology is required. Professional experience in this field is recommended.
Certificate: Advanced Coloured Gemstones Participation Certificate
Cost: 4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Upcoming courses:
23 – 27 November 2026 (only 1 Spot left!)
05 – 09 April 2027
28 June – 02 July 2027
22 – 26 November 2027
Course overview
The Advanced Coloured Gemstones course is a comprehensive, practice‑focused training programme for experienced gemmologists and industry professionals who wish to deepen their knowledge in the determination of geographic origin and identification of treatments in ruby, sapphire and emerald.
Developed within a professional laboratory environment, the course reflects gemmological and analytical workflows used in daily gem testing. Training is grounded in structured microscopic observation and comparison, supported by extensive hands‑on access to reference material from a diverse stone collection.
Learning approach
The course combines theoretical introductions with extensive microscope‑based practical work conducted in small groups alongside gemmologists from the SSEF laboratory.
Participants are trained to:
- observe and describe microscopic features
- distinguish natural, synthetic and treated stones using microscopy
- recognise features associated with different geographic origins
- understand where microscopic criteria are robust, and where limits exist
Teaching focuses on developing disciplined observation and professional judgement.
Why this training
Origin determination and treatment detection are among the most complex and judgement‑dependent areas of gemmology. These skills cannot be reliably developed through theory alone or limited accessibility to stones and comparative reference.
Effective training requires:
- repeated comparison of natural, treated and synthetic material
- extensive observation under the microscope
- guidance from experienced laboratory gemmologists
- an understanding of both the capabilities and limitations of microscopic methods
This course addresses these needs directly, providing focused training that mirrors real‑world analytical practice from gemmologists who work daily in the SSEF laboratory.
Course format
Duration: 5 days
Daily schedule: 09:00–16:00 (including a one‑hour lunch break).
Location: SSEF headquarters, Basel, Switzerland
Group size: Maximum 9 participants
The limited class size reflects the hands‑on nature of the training and the availability of instruments and reference material.
Lectures and practical sessions delivered by SSEF gemmologists who have decades of experience, as well as featured lectures from SSEF director Dr. Michael Krzemnicki.
Certificate
Participants receive an Advanced Coloured Gemstones Certificate of Attendance upon completion of the course.
What you will work with
Practical sessions form a significant component of the course and involve working with:
- optical microscopes and UV lamps
- natural rubies, sapphires and emeralds from a wide range of geographic origins
- treated stones, including heating and clarity modification
- synthetic ruby, sapphire and emerald
The emphasis is on recognition, comparison and interpretation of the range of features seen in stones from different origins.
Who should apply
This course is designed for:
- Practising gemmologists
- Professionals working in gemmological laboratories
- Specialists in the gemstone and jewellery trade dealing with high‑value coloured stones
Prior gemmological training is required. Professional experience in gemstone testing is strongly recommended.
This course is not designed for:
- Beginners to gemmology
- Participants seeking a general introduction to coloured gemstones
- Those not interesting in learning origin determination for ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
What you’ll learn during the Advanced Coloured Gemstones Course
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
23 – 27 November 2026 (only 1 spot left)
05 – 09 April 2027
28 June – 02 July 2027
22 – 26 November 2027
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Module 1
Ruby & Sapphire Introduction
- Synthetic rubies and sapphires as well as treatments involving heating of ruby and sapphire
- Use of the optical microscope to observe and identify the microscopic characteristics of a wide range of treated (including flux and glass filling) and untreated ruby and sapphire samples, as well as synthetic rubies and sapphires
Ruby & Sapphire Introduction
- Synthetic rubies and sapphires as well as treatments involving heating of ruby and sapphire
- Use of the optical microscope to observe and identify the microscopic characteristics of a wide range of treated (including flux and glass filling) and untreated ruby and sapphire samples, as well as synthetic rubies and sapphires
Module 2
Origin Determination of Ruby
- Origin determination of ruby
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of rubies.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify the characteristics and inclusions of rubies from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Burma, Mozambique, Thailand)
Origin Determination of Ruby
- Origin determination of ruby
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of rubies.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify the characteristics and inclusions of rubies from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Burma, Mozambique, Thailand)
Module 3
Origin Determination of Sapphire
- Origin determination of sapphire
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of sapphires.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify the characteristics and inclusions of sapphires from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Burma, Kashmir, Sri Lanka)
Origin Determination of Sapphire
- Origin determination of sapphire
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of sapphires.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify the characteristics and inclusions of sapphires from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Burma, Kashmir, Sri Lanka)
Module 4
Emeralds: Origin Determination and Treatment Detection
- Origin Determination and Treatment Detection of Emeralds
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of emeralds.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify i) the characteristics and inclusions of emeralds from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Zambia), ii) the detection of clarity modification (e.g.fissure filling with oil, resin or wax), iii) the characteristics of synthetic emeralds
Emeralds: Origin Determination and Treatment Detection
- Origin Determination and Treatment Detection of Emeralds
- Introduction to the different methods used to determine the geographic origin of emeralds.
- Use of the UV-lamp and optical microscope to observe and identify i) the characteristics and inclusions of emeralds from a wide range of different geographic origins (e.g. Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Zambia), ii) the detection of clarity modification (e.g.fissure filling with oil, resin or wax), iii) the characteristics of synthetic emeralds.
Module 5
Practical Workshop: Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
- Practical training with the optical microscope on a wide range of rubies, emeralds and sapphires from the SSEF collection
- Discussion and review of content covered during the course
- Presentation of the Advanced Coloured Gemstones Certificate of Attendance
Practical Workshop: Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire
- Practical training with the optical microscope on a wide range of rubies, emeralds and sapphires from the SSEF collection
- Discussion and review of content covered during the course
Registrations status:
Open for registration
Next sessions:
31 March – 04 April 2025
23 – 27 June 2025
24 – 28 November 2025
Price for this course:
4000.- Swiss Francs excl. VAT
Want to learn more about our courses?
Please visit our page dedicated to frequently asked questions. For additional details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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