I teach Gemology 101 at Flathead Valley Community College in
Kalispell, MT. We have a struggling Goldsmithing Program here, of
which this class is a part. Our resources are meager in terms of a
stone collection, and I’m trying to correct this by asking stone
dealers, jewelers, silversmiths, and goldsmiths to consider donating
any colored stones which are no longer deemed suitable to sell due
to breakage, poor make, surface damage, or any other reason. I
thought I might be able to cover a few more bases via Ganoskin than I
can do dialing one number at a time.
I have, in the past, requested either stones on a memo for the
semester, or as a permanent donation. For our purposes, the latter
is preferable, but I’m not one to quibble. If you have a jar full-
or just a couple - of colored stones that are fractured, scratched,
or too included to sell, we can use them. In fact, the more included
the better, as flawless crystals - for the gemologist - are boring.
I also avoid usable/sellable stones because a certain amount of
damage can occur during the learning process.
While our collection already boasts a few amethyst, citrines, and
garnets, we’re never adverse to a few more. Any exotics, however,
which suffered a terminal injury, or which you bought before you knew
what a good one looked like, or anything at all in the way of faceted
gems, would be very much appreciated by my students.
We have, as of yet, not done a lot with opaque, cabbed stones, and
don’t need much more material in this catagory presently.
We have several good samples of rough, most of which were generously
donated by Diane Sadel at Benad in New Jersey, but not yet enough
samples of full crystals - amy, tourmaline, quartz, etc. So
anything extra, chipped, or whatever that might be around would ge
great as well. The scope of the class does not go into uncut
material to any depth really, but it is good for the students to see
from whence cut and polished stones come.
All I have to offer for any generosity you might bestow upon us is
my thanks, your postage repaid, and a letter of ackowledgement for
the loan or gift.
You can check the school out at www.FVCC.edu The Goldsmithing
Program is listed under the certificate programs, and you can find me
under academics/adjunct faculty, which is educational code for a temp
teacher.
If you have some things you would like to contribute, you may send
them either directly to the school at the following address:
Les Brown c/o Goldsmithing Program Flathead Valley Community
College 777 Grandview Dr. Kalispell, MT 59901
or to my business mailing address:
L.F.Brown Goldwork, Inc. 432 E. Idaho, #C166 Kalispell, MT 59901
www.goldwork.com toll free: 1-877-203-1482 Personal email:
Call - or write - if you have any questions or need references.
Thanks ,
Les Brown