My Little Gemology is a site for initiation into gemology. Its purpose is to make basic gemological knowledge accessible to all through practice. After the theoretical notions essential to the amateur, the accent is put on the instruments of the gemologist and their use, in particular in the field. We are convinced that the passion that drives us originated from the sight of precious stones and other gems, and not from complex scientific readings.
It was in 2001 …
Completing my Masters in Marketing and Business, I found myself sitting on the couch at my parents’ house, enjoying a well-deserved weekend. I was flabbergasted! On television, an image of a velvety cornflower blue was finishing imprinted on my retinas. I was watching Patrick Voillot’s film “the sapphires of Kashmir”. I took to the internet to learn more and get the DVDs of his series of 6 gemstone films. Before I knew it, I had taken the gemology virus. Despite my master’s degree, I was ready to give up everything to work in contact with the gems. I contacted several institutions of the time: the Boulle School, the French Association of Gemmology, etc. I still have a rather unpleasant memory of these calls today:too old for the Boulle School and not yet graduated in gemology for the AFG. Having no contact in this environment and not knowing where to start, I put in dormancy my desires to become one day a gemologist, which did not prevent me from starting a collection of gems.
Awareness
At that time, gemology was still confidential, at least in France: circles were closed, contacts difficult. Admittedly, the salons already existed, but the border was rigid between amateurs and professional gemologists. With the development of the internet and as long as one has a correct level in the language of Shakespeare, the doors have opened wide. Very large even… with its lot of information indicating everything and its opposite. Being based in Alsace and not having the availability to follow a training in gemology, I undertook to learn through specialized books. It turned out to be exciting, but very difficult.
In 2006, on the occasion of the Antwerp fair, while I was admiring a very pretty peridot, the seller told me the price: 150 €! I looked at the seller without answering just because I didn’t know if the price was good or not. I continued to examine the stone without saying anything and there the seller gives me a new price: 120 €. Still silent, I no longer understand anything. I didn’t say a single word and the seller already gave me a 20% discount! I get caught up in the game and I take out my gemmologist’s loupe to continue my examination and see if at 120 € this stone makes me want to acquire it. The seller changes color and tells me 50 €! I open my eyes wide in surprise and there, certainly believing that I still want to negotiate, the trader lets go of me, annoyed: “no, but € 50 you know that’s the real price! ” I was surprised,annoyed and disgusted. I put the peridot down, politely saying “no thanks” and left the living room. It was at that precise moment that I swore two things to myself. The first is to stop playing a game whose rules I do not know and for which I am not trained. The second is that if I wanted to continue my collection without becoming a pigeon, I would also have to make more serious contacts than this seller. I am grateful to him for this lesson!I would also have to make more serious contacts than this seller. I am grateful to him for this lesson!I would also have to make more serious contacts than this seller. I am grateful to him for this lesson!
The opportunity
In May 2013, I hastened to accept a transfer to Paris, finally seeing the opportunity to start training in gemology. The AFG had started to open up to non-gemologists and its Vice-President Annick Gaullier had invited me to an outing of its members. I remember as if it was yesterday the Wednesday when I met Patrick Voillot, during a private screening of his latest film on spinels from Tajikistan. It was three days after my arrival in Paris! Patrick had organized a preview screening for AFG members at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Chatenay Malabry. After viewing the film and the discussion session, we had the opportunity to visit the museum that Patrick created within the Faculty. This afternoon was particularly rich in meetings.A good omen for the future.
The Grail: the gemologist diploma
After some research and comparison, I chose to take the Gem-A courses. Following this, I was finally able to realize my dream by preparing and obtaining the Diploma, under the benevolent but demanding leadership of Fabienne Thouvenot, director of the École des Gemmes. I can never thank her enough for the passion for gemology which animates her and which she transmits wonderfully.
It took me thirteen years to take the plunge and start my training in gemology . My training thesis was on Kashmir sapphires. It is a fair return of things when you think about the fact that it is this film which is at the origin of my passion for precious stones. Ironically, the film was directed by Patrick Voillot, the same one who was kind enough to preface my memory. I am also grateful to him for his boundless energy in wanting to show the general public what the fascinating world of gemology is all about.
Today I would like to share some of the knowledge I have received, making this magnificent discipline accessible to everyone. When I think back to Fabienne’s impressive knowledge, and despite obtaining a demanding diploma, one obvious thing emerges: the journey has only just begun …