GA571 Gemstones

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Jan Cempírek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Monika Kubernátová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Jan Cempírek, Ph.D.
Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: Ing. Jana Pechmannová
Supplier department: Department of Geological Sciences – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:50 G2,02003
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of anorganic chemistry (high school level). Optionally, basic knowledge of geology and mineralogy.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 33 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students will:
- understand the main gemstones and their properties;
- understand and explain basics of gemstone mining, processing, and economics;
- understand value of gemstones and broader social-economic-environmental implications related to their mining;
- use their knowledge to make informed decisions when dealing with gemstones;
- will be able to connect their knowledge with information sources from everyday life.
Learning outcomes
After the course, student will be able to:;
- describe main gemstones and their properties;
- uderstand exploitation, processing and economics of gemstones;
- understand mechanisms that determine gemstone value;
- understand broader social-environmental-economic context of gemstone exploitation;
- use gained knowledge for informed decisions in problems related to gemstones;
Syllabus
  • History of gemstones.
  • Introduction to mineralogy of gemstones, basic terms.
  • Gemstone deposits and their exploration.
  • Jewellery industry.
  • The nature of colour and light.
  • Diamonds.
  • Coloured gems (corundum, beryl, precious opal, tourmaline, topaz, spodumene, jade, garnet, olivine, and others).
  • Mining of gems and precious metals and its implications.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Groat L.A. (ed.) (2014) Geology of Gems Deposits, Second Edition. Mineralogical Association of Canada Short-Course Volume 44. ISBN 978-0-921294-54-2
    not specified
  • Encyklopedie drahých kamenů : proč jsou drahé kameny tak drahé. Illustrated by Karel Mařík. Vydání první. Praha: Plot, 2016, 296 stran. ISBN 9788074282966. info
  • BONEWITZ, Ra. Drahé kameny. Translated by Helena Kholová. Vydání první. Praha: Euromedia Group, k. s. - Knižní klub, 2014, 224 stran. ISBN 9788024244297. info
Teaching methods
lectures
Assessment methods
Written final test; to pass the exam, at least 50% of points is required.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Information on the per-term frequency of the course: Bude otevřeno v podzimním semestru 2023/2024.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2004, Spring 2006, Autumn 2015, autumn 2017, Autumn 2019, autumn 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2023/GA571