Are You Sure Your Gemstones Are What You Think They Are?

Do you ever buy gemstones on Etsy, Instagram, eBay, or at gem shows and wonder whether they’re really what the seller says they are?
You’d love to know for sure — but sending an inexpensive gem to a lab isn’t practical, and learning all the testing yourself takes time and equipment you may not have.

Good news!
Guest presenter and gemmologist Laura De Zordo (FGA, EG) is coming to Meon Valley Studio to give an evening presentation on common coloured gemstones, gemstone imitations, and lab-grown gems. She will also be informing you about a new, affordable Gemmological Testing Service designed especially for jewellers and gemstone buyers purchasing through online platforms.

Using basic gemmological equipment, Laura will identify and test your stones—helping you buy with confidence.

Join Laura for an interactive 2-hour presentation and hands-on session, where you’ll discover:

• Why accurate gem identification matters

• How to tell when “it’s red, so it must be a ruby” might not be true

• The truth about lab-grown coloured gems (no diamonds this time!)

• Common look-alikes and assembled stones that can fool even experienced buyers

• What inclusions are and why they’re key to gem ID

• When to call in the big labs — like GIA or WCS London — and when simple tools will do

• What can (and can’t) be tested with basic gemmological equipment

• Why only some set jewellery can be tested

• The challenges of identifying synthetic vs natural quartz and amethyst

• When a stone shows signs of heat treatment — and why lab confirmation may still be needed

Join us for this informative session, Q&A, and live gem testing demonstration.