Learn ways to identify different types of Pearl. Combine gemmology and pearl stringing: put your new knowledge straight into practice with an afternoon workshop session to make a knotted string of pearls.
Would you know if your pearls were dyed or naturally coloured? What is the difference between a Keshi Pearl and a Baroque pearl? What is the difference between an Akoya Pearl and a Tahitian Pearl? How do Freshwater Pearls differ from the saltwater variety? These little shell-fish gems have been favoured treasures since the earliest times; still they captivate us with their lustrous beauty. Have you ever fancied trying your hand at pearl stringing? Join us for a pearl grading workshop, and make your own knotted string of pearls to wear home.
On this one day course you’ll have an opportunity to view a wide range of pearls of various type, size, colour and quality. We’ll introduce simple methods for basic identification, and we’ll look beneath the surface of a sample of pearls to understand their structure. Pearls are organic ‘gemstones’. Although quite resilient, they are sensitive to chemicals and to general wear and tear; we will discuss how to take care of them.
We want you to make use of this knowledge, so the class begins with a morning gemmology session followed by an afternoon of practical workshop activity to make your own string of pearls using traditional knotting techniques, using silk and gimp.
How will this workshop help you?
When it comes to making jewellery with gems and gem-like natural materials like pearl and amber, it’s crucial to know a little bit about the qualities of these materials. Gemstone characteristics, like hardness, brittleness, heat resistance, porosity and cleavage are all important qualities that affect your choice when designing jewellery. Additionally, when buying gems, you need to know how to assess the quality of the item on offer.
At each session in our gemmology series we discuss the individual characteristics and behaviours of the particular stones, to help you become better designers – and better stone setters too.
We’ve grouped our range of gemstones according to similar hues, to better help you understand the differences between similar stones. Choose a workshop according to your preferred colour palette – or join up for the full bonanza 5 Saturdays!
What will you gain?
As well as gaining a range of great methods to identify the type and quality of your gemstones, you will get the chance to set your stone type of choice (or for the pearl workshop you will make a knotted string of pearls ) at the workshop, to wear home.
Morning Gemmology Schedule:
Understand the differences between types and qualities of pearls including: Baroque Pearls, Keshi Pearls, Round/Oval Pearls, Dyed Pearls.
Afternoon Stone Setting schedule:
Make your own string of pearls from our selection, using the traditional knotting technique on silk.
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Course Tutors: Elena Timbaliuc and Barbora Rybarova
Max student numbers: 7
Course Date: Saturday 17 December 2017
Class Times: 10am – 5pm
Course Fee: £120
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