Join this fascinating one day course for a valuable insight into the diamond trade, different types of diamonds on the market, and how to assess them. Learn about how the beautiful stones are mined, cut, graded and priced, as well as exploring common simulants. No previous experience necessary.
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The fascinating one-day course will give you an insight into the trade in diamonds and the different types of diamond available on the market. It will introduce you to the diamond simulants that are commonly found, and teach you how to assess diamonds yourself. There will be various images of diamonds and diamond-set jewellery for you to view.
What will we cover?
The course will cover the mining, cutting, grading/pricing of diamonds and their certification. Topics will include the economics of diamonds including the structure of de Beers and the diamond-producing countries. We will also look at the common diamond simulants that can be found in jewellery. You will be taught how to use a loupe, and guided through the assessment criteria in certifying a diamond.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Use a loupe to look at stones - Understand how the diamond industry operates - Understand the grading and pricing of diamonds and know the certifying bodies - Demonstrate awareness of the different diamond simulants that are on the market - Recognise the common cuts of diamonds and how cutting has developed over the last century.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is at beginner’s level and no experience is necessary. It is ideal for people who have an interest in diamonds and diamond-set jewellery and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will take the form of a talk with many images and samples being shown to you to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions, and detailed hand-outs for you to take away. There is no work outside of the class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no other costs or items you are required to bring.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.
Suitable follow-on courses may include:
VV835 - Jewellery making: all levels VV973 - Appraising jewellery and gemstones VV125 - Jewellery: soldering workshop
Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.
Since 2003 Judith Crowe has been running 2 companies - as a gemstone dealer and for making bespoke jewellery. She has a BA Hons degree in Fine Art and from 1985 she worked as a studio manager/designer in graphic design. In 1990 she broke her back horse riding and then worked as a broadcast journalist and TV director at the BBC Disability Programmes Unit. From 1999 Judith retrained in silversmithing at City Lit and she is now teaching short courses on gemmology and jewellery at the college. She has written a book, 'The Jeweller's Directory of Gemstones', published by Quarto. Her website is www.judthcrowe.co.uk
Derek JhinnooSee moreSee less
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
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No previous experience necessary.003030343Introduction to diamonds129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-diamonds-vv984_13.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Art & designVV984129129Introduction to diamonds129129129Judith Crowe, Derek Jhinnoointroduction-to-diamonds/vv984-2627Join this fascinating one day course for a valuable insight into the diamond trade, different types of diamonds on the market, and how to assess them. Learn about how the beautiful stones are mined, cut, graded and priced, as well as exploring common simulants. No previous experience necessary.0000-Available|2026-11-28 00:00:00The fascinating one-day course will give you an insight into the trade in diamonds and the different types of diamond available on the market. It will introduce you to the diamond simulants that are commonly found, and teach you how to assess diamonds yourself. There will be various images of diamonds and diamond-set jewellery for you to view.Join this fascinating one day course for a valuable insight into the diamond trade, different types of diamonds on the market, and how to assess them. Learn about how the beautiful stones are mined, cut, graded and priced, as well as exploring common simulants. No previous experience necessary.The course will cover the mining, cutting, grading/pricing of diamonds and their certification. Topics will include the economics of diamonds including the structure of de Beers and the diamond-producing countries. We will also look at the common diamond simulants that can be found in jewellery. You will be taught how to use a loupe, and guided through the assessment criteria in certifying a diamond.- Use a loupe to look at stones<br> - Understand how the diamond industry operates<br> - Understand the grading and pricing of diamonds and know the certifying bodies<br> - Demonstrate awareness of the different diamond simulants that are on the market<br> - Recognise the common cuts of diamonds and how cutting has developed over the last century.The course is at beginner’s level and no experience is necessary. It is ideal for people who have an interest in diamonds and diamond-set jewellery and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.<br> <br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions.The course will take the form of a talk with many images and samples being shown to you to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions, and detailed hand-outs for you to take away. There is no work outside of the class.There are no other costs or items you are required to bring.City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development. <br><br>Suitable follow-on courses may include:<br><br>VV835 - Jewellery making: all levels<br>VV973 - Appraising jewellery and gemstones<br>VV125 - Jewellery: soldering workshop<br><br>Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.Jewellery design & makingJewellery designvirtual129129129VV984NONESat28/11/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyWeekendKSKeeley StreetJudith Crowe, Derek JhinnooBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-28T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Art & design129129Introduction to diamondsintroduction-to-diamonds/vv984-2627Join this fascinating one day course for a valuable insight into the diamond trade, different types of diamonds on the market, and how to assess them. Learn about how the beautiful stones are mined, cut, graded and priced, as well as exploring common simulants. No previous experience necessary.0000-Available|2026-11-28 00:00:00The fascinating one-day course will give you an insight into the trade in diamonds and the different types of diamond available on the market. It will introduce you to the diamond simulants that are commonly found, and teach you how to assess diamonds yourself. There will be various images of diamonds and diamond-set jewellery for you to view.Join this fascinating one day course for a valuable insight into the diamond trade, different types of diamonds on the market, and how to assess them. Learn about how the beautiful stones are mined, cut, graded and priced, as well as exploring common simulants. No previous experience necessary.The course will cover the mining, cutting, grading/pricing of diamonds and their certification. Topics will include the economics of diamonds including the structure of de Beers and the diamond-producing countries. We will also look at the common diamond simulants that can be found in jewellery. You will be taught how to use a loupe, and guided through the assessment criteria in certifying a diamond.- Use a loupe to look at stones<br> - Understand how the diamond industry operates<br> - Understand the grading and pricing of diamonds and know the certifying bodies<br> - Demonstrate awareness of the different diamond simulants that are on the market<br> - Recognise the common cuts of diamonds and how cutting has developed over the last century.The course is at beginner’s level and no experience is necessary. It is ideal for people who have an interest in diamonds and diamond-set jewellery and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.<br> <br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussions.The course will take the form of a talk with many images and samples being shown to you to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions, and detailed hand-outs for you to take away. There is no work outside of the class.There are no other costs or items you are required to bring.City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development. <br><br>Suitable follow-on courses may include:<br><br>VV835 - Jewellery making: all levels<br>VV973 - Appraising jewellery and gemstones<br>VV125 - Jewellery: soldering workshop<br><br>Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.Jewellery design & makingJewellery designconfigurable
