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Gems may not always be forever

Diamonds have enthralled people from the time of Adam, but even today, the common man does not know how to check whether it's genuine. A gemmologist enlightens K. Pradeep on the secrets of gems

GEM TALE Clockwise from top left, John Pascal, a blue sapphire, the natural ruby, an imitation amber with an insect inserted and an original one with a fossilised insect PHOTO: MAHESH HARILAL

The room was dark except for the light from a dangling, overhead lamp. Seated snugly across a glass-topped table, strewn with books, papers and a pencil-thin flashlight, is John Pascal. He sizes you with his sharp eyes that sparkle through the spectacles, opens a drawer, rummages for a while and comes up with a couple of plastic bags. He opens them and empties the contents on to the table. The different coloured objects, precious stones, crystals, some of them synthetic shapes, glow under the bright light. With the ease of an expert he handles these stones and then begins to speak on a science that has become his passion.

A gemmologist and a gem consultant, Pascal runs the Centre for Gem Studies, the only one of its kind in the State. "This is an educational and research organisation that imparts various placement-oriented courses in the science of gemmology. We started this in 1986 in a small way and now we have two centres in the city including a gem-testing laboratory. We have different courses here like a three-month certificate on gemmology that equips students on identification, grading of diamonds and gemstones; testing them, identifying treated and artificially coloured gem stones, influence and vibrations of these stones. We also have specific short-term courses like the one-month course on Navaratnas, one on cutting and polishing of gemstones, and a one-day course on diamonds," says Pascal, , whose book `Ratna Vigyanagosham' is an important contribution in this field.

Jewellers, manufacturers, inquisitive customers, and sometimes people who have stumbled on rough stones seek the advice of Pascal. "The fact is that a majority of those in the business do know much about the subject. There is secrecy in the trade so that often the stones are brought by carriers, who know nothing about them, to the sellers, who are not much better. Recently I went to a small village on the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. The people had found some coloured stones while digging the earth. When I reached there and saw them I knew they were rubies. There is an inexplicable thrill when you hold those virgin, natural rubies in your hand. We also conduct testing and submit reports for the judicial courts of Kerala on cases pertaining to gemstones."

Job opportunities

The gem industry is growing fast and this has in turn provided diverse job opportunities. "There is a huge demand for trained professionals at quality control laboratories at the manufacturing and mining centres. Many of those who finish the course set up business on their own or turn into consultants for big-time jewellers. These professionals get paid by the hour and with a few years of practical experience begin to demand a price of their own. But, personally, more than creating placements in this industry I run this centre as a hub for disseminating information on this subject."

Despite spread of knowledge and so much of technological development information on gemstones is still half-baked. Identification and use of gemstones are still based on the whims and personal experience of the dealer or the astrologer, despite gemmology developing into an exact science, the availability of various scientific instruments and the great knowledge accumulated and dispensed over the years by various gemmological institutions.

Get it tested

"History is so full of remarkable mistakes when gemstones are wrongly identified, based on colour and lustre. And this continues. Clever marketing techniques and sheer ignorance have led to people being fooled regarding gemstones. When people are prepared to pay a fortune for a piece of natural and beautiful gemstone it has spawned a progression of greed, producing fakes, imitations and synthetics. People should at least take care to get the stones they buy tested. At our centre we do not charge anything from an ordinary consumer who wants to test the true quality of a gemstone. "

Gemstones have always fascinated mankind. They are associated with symbols of status, wealth, expression of love, supernatural and healing powers. Today they are widely used for their healing powers too. "Though there are more than hundred gemstones only a few are used for this specific purpose. There are some that are used to maintain the equilibrium of the person's astrological star, there are others like Amber, Kunzite, that are used for treatment of physical ailments and then some that are used to maintain a balance in a person's existing conditions. There is one set of gems that stimulate your glands and another one that rejuvenates the cells. All the propaganda about the use of gems based on date of birth, month, year, movements of the sun or moon are wrong. Always remember that the gemstone one wears must be absolutely natural and that it must be free from radioactive materials. Also never trust the astrologer or someone else to buy the gemstone for you. It is best to do it yourself and then get it scientifically tested."

Pascal fishes out another of those numerous plastic covers and carefully spills its contents to his palm. He holds a small oval shaped Amber with a fossilised mosquito inside. "This one must be at least 16 million years old. It is a rare one. But these are days when even these are cleverly duplicated. Look at this one," Pascal holds up a bigger one that has a huge insect inside. "This is fake, note the small hole at one end of it. But such stones are sold for a handsome price to gullible consumers."

Diamonds in demand

Fascinations for diamonds is on a high these days and naturally there is need to be cautious on what one buys. "There is a 17 per cent rise in the sale of diamonds in the past one year, which is really high. The cost of a diamond depends on its colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. Work is in progress at an outlet in the city where there will be educational selling of diamonds, that is, they show you how that particular diamond is created. "

Gemmology is an evolving science and Pascal is one who has kept pace with each step of advancement. It is a labour of love, also a mission to educate. "I can talk for days together on gems. It is a never ending passion," says Pascal getting up, turning off the light. The stones on the table still continue to glimmer.

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