The following text is a ‘must read’ for all gemologists—recent graduate gemologists and practicing gemologists. Thomas Chatham is well known in the gemological field of science for producing gemstones in his laboratory in the U.S for research applications and the jewelry industry. Chatham rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and other gem species are well-known in the gemological circle. Some stones are easy to identify (old samples with metallic particles and flux inclusions), while the clean stones is not that easy to detect. You really need a comparison set stones for positive identification. He is a frequent speaker at important gemological events and has generously donated samples stones to gemological institutes and students for study purposes.
Read on to learn more……
(via The Canadian Gemmologist, volume XIX, number 1, Spring, 1998):
Congratulations to the students
By Thomas H Chatham
Text of a speech given at the CGA (Canadian Gemmological Association) Graduation in Toronto, Oct 25, 1997
Tonight, you the graduates, have moved to a new level of competence. You started out as unconsciously incompetent. Rubies were red, diamond, white, and then it trailed off from there. This applies to all of us in the room contemplating brain surgery tomorrow morning. We don’t have the slightest clue.
The second stage you went through was being consciously incompetent. You wanted to know more about gemology, but couldn’t separate an agate from moldavite. You had to study to remember where the table was, the girdle, the crown, the pavilion—all these common words with brand new meanings.
Tonight you have arrived at the third stage. You are consciously competent. You practice due diligence when looking at a stone; you look in the stone, perform many physical tests, refer to technical books, and make educated conclusions. Do not go beyond this stage.
The fourth step in being unconsciously competent. This is the person who takes one look at an emerald and says, “yeah, that’s a Chatham” or “I can spot a Chatham Created Ruby across the room”. This was said by one New York dealer who lost US$25000 on this sort of competence. You only think you can do it in your sleep.
Tonight you leave here a little dangerous: soon you will be alone. No one will look over your shoulder; it’s not a grade now—it’s may be $10000! Don’t forget to remember what you learned how to do. Gemology is a lot of detective work. It’s mostly dull, punctuated by lots of self doubt. The job is getting much more tricky. There are many new technologies and treatments and new consequences for error. Public awareness has never been higher than today. People are informed. They will also sue you.
One hundred years ago, Verneuil invented the flame fusion ruby. Since that time we have invented the automobile, air travel, walked on the moon, and put a computer in every office. And people who should know better still get taken by flame fusion stones at the mines. Incredible!
Today begins your valuable education, the practical application of what you have learned. It is by far the most beneficial. Choose any field—retail sales, wholesaler, cutter, manufacturer, appraiser, or gem buyer: they all need your talents. All need updated information because every day brings new ideas, new applications and new crooks!
You must continue to learn by reading books, joining trade associations, subscribing to gemological journals, going to trade shows and attending meetings to hear talks. Some are boring, but you will find those with that tidbit of new information only by going.
I hope you are happy in whichever field you choose. They all need your help. I will leave you with these thoughts:
- Apply yourself 110%.
- Don’t take anyone’s word for it, be it a grade or identification.
- Keep learning. We are always going to produce new headaches.
- Look at progress as a bridge to the future, not as a road block.
Drive carefully, good night and congratulations!
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