Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from...
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This one-day course will give you a valuable insight into the trade and culturing of pearls, exploring the many different varieties of pearls available on the market including the natural and the man-made. The course will teach you to assess and select pearls, and recognise imitations. There will be many images and samples of pearls and pearl-set jewellery to view as well as practical exercises.
What will we cover?
The course will cover the farming, culturing and grading/pricing of saltwater, freshwater and rare natural pearls. The topics will include the common shapes, lustre, colours, sizes and treatments (such as dyeing) of these organic gems. You will learn how to use a loupe to inspect pearls, and discover how to appraise, value, care for and use pearls in jewellery. We will also look at the common pearl simulants found in jewellery.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- use a loupe to look at pearls - understand how the pearl trade operates and the difference between cultured and natural, saltwater and freshwater pearls - understand the grading and pricing of pearls and the certifying bodies - demonstrate awareness of the different pearl simulants that are on the market - understand how different types of pearl have been used in jewellery 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 organic gemstones and pearl-set jewellery, and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.
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 the students to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for students to ask questions. There will be detailed hand-outs for the students 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, and you do not need to bring anything with you.
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.
Browse our current online offer for complementary courses.Your tutor will also 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
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/jewellery-a-buyer-s-guide-to-pearls286221Jewellery: a buyer's guide to pearlshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/e/pearls_1.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Jewellery design & making/Courses/Art & design/Jewellery design & making/Gemmology and appraising jewellery/Courses/vm/Creative courses2285113219581998867312285113219581653Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from the bad, spot the imitations and buy your pearl jewellery with confidence.352540278Jewellery: a buyer's guide to pearls129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/e/pearls_1_3.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Art & designVV660129129Jewellery: a buyer's guide to pearls129129129Judith Crowe, Derek Jhinnoojewellery-a-buyer-s-guide-to-pearls/vv660-2526Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from the bad, spot the imitations and buy your pearl jewellery with confidence.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00This one-day course will give you a valuable insight into the trade and culturing of pearls, exploring the many different varieties of pearls available on the market including the natural and the man-made. The course will teach you to assess and select pearls, and recognise imitations. There will be many images and samples of pearls and pearl-set jewellery to view as well as practical exercises.Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from the bad, spot the imitations and buy your pearl jewellery with confidence.The course will cover the farming, culturing and grading/pricing of saltwater, freshwater and rare natural pearls. The topics will include the common shapes, lustre, colours, sizes and treatments (such as dyeing) of these organic gems. You will learn how to use a loupe to inspect pearls, and discover how to appraise, value, care for and use pearls in jewellery. We will also look at the common pearl simulants found in jewellery.- use a loupe to look at pearls<br/>- understand how the pearl trade operates and the difference between cultured and natural, saltwater and freshwater pearls<br/>- understand the grading and pricing of pearls and the certifying bodies<br/>- demonstrate awareness of the different pearl simulants that are on the market<br/>- understand how different types of pearl have been used in jewellery 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 organic gemstones and pearl-set jewellery, and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.The course will take the form of a talk with many images and samples being shown to the students to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for students to ask questions. There will be detailed hand-outs for the students to take away. There is no work outside of the class.There are no other costs, and you do not need to bring anything with you.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/>Browse our current online offer for complementary courses.Your tutor will also be able to advise you on your course.Jewellery design & makingGemmology and appraising jewelleryvirtual129129129VV660NONESat25/04/2610:00 - 17:0010:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetJudith Crowe, Derek JhinnooBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Art & design129129Jewellery: a buyer's guide to pearlsjewellery-a-buyer-s-guide-to-pearls/vv660-2526Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from the bad, spot the imitations and buy your pearl jewellery with confidence.0000-Available|2026-04-25 00:00:00This one-day course will give you a valuable insight into the trade and culturing of pearls, exploring the many different varieties of pearls available on the market including the natural and the man-made. The course will teach you to assess and select pearls, and recognise imitations. There will be many images and samples of pearls and pearl-set jewellery to view as well as practical exercises.Join this fascinating one-day course for a valuable insight into pearls, their cultivation and trade, and use in jewellery. Learn how to recognise the many types on the market, judge the good from the bad, spot the imitations and buy your pearl jewellery with confidence.The course will cover the farming, culturing and grading/pricing of saltwater, freshwater and rare natural pearls. The topics will include the common shapes, lustre, colours, sizes and treatments (such as dyeing) of these organic gems. You will learn how to use a loupe to inspect pearls, and discover how to appraise, value, care for and use pearls in jewellery. We will also look at the common pearl simulants found in jewellery.- use a loupe to look at pearls<br/>- understand how the pearl trade operates and the difference between cultured and natural, saltwater and freshwater pearls<br/>- understand the grading and pricing of pearls and the certifying bodies<br/>- demonstrate awareness of the different pearl simulants that are on the market<br/>- understand how different types of pearl have been used in jewellery 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 organic gemstones and pearl-set jewellery, and would be a good ‘refresher’ for people who work in the jewellery trade.The course will take the form of a talk with many images and samples being shown to the students to illustrate the different topics. There will be plenty of time for students to ask questions. There will be detailed hand-outs for the students to take away. There is no work outside of the class.There are no other costs, and you do not need to bring anything with you.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/>Browse our current online offer for complementary courses.Your tutor will also be able to advise you on your course.Jewellery design & makingGemmology and appraising jewelleryconfigurable
19981958Gemmology and appraising jewelleryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/art-and-design/jewellery-design-making/gemmology-and-appraising-jewellery1/2/285/1132/1958/19981/Courses/Art & design/Jewellery design & making/Gemmology and appraising jewellery
