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PODCAST

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast

Facet Nation is a new kind of gemmology podcast. Rigorous enough for serious students, but fascinating and funny enough for anyone craving an inside look at gemstones, jewellery and the shadowy world surrounding them. Part revision aide, part storytime, Lucinda and Simon are your qualified guides to the world’s most ancient treasures.

science natural sciences

All Episodes

45:56

16. Light & Gem Testing Instruments: The Polariscope

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/12/15

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda explore the intricacies of gemmology, focusing on the polariscope and its significance in testing gemstones. They discuss the behaviour of light in relation to isotropic and anisotropic materials, the importance of understanding internal stress in gems, and the use of the conoscope for identifying gemstones. The conversation emphasises community engagement and the joy of learning in the field of gemmology. Titles The Fascin...

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28:19

15. Live Episode - Tanzanite - The Gem and Mineral...

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/12/08

Send us a text In this live episode of Facet nation, hosts Simon and Lucinda share their experiences at the London Gem and Mineral Show, where they discuss the fascinating gemstone Tanzanite, its properties, discovery, and significance as a birthstone for December. They delve into the science behind Tanzanite's colour, its varieties, and its cultural importance, while also sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their gemmology journey. The London Gem and Mineral Show was a significant...

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52:07

14. Light and Optics in Gemstones

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/12/01

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet nation podcast, Simon and Lucinda delve into the intricate world of light and optics as they relate to gemmology. They explore the fundamental properties of light, including reflection and refraction, and discuss how these principles apply to gemstones. The conversation covers the importance of cut in diamonds, the various optical effects seen in gemstones, and the significance of birefringence. The hosts also touch on the practical applications of ...

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47:15

13. Interview: Video Game Gemstones and Precision Gem...

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/11/24

Send us a text In this episode Lucinda and Simon speak to gem cutting pioneer Arya Akhavan, his trademarked gemstone cuts; the Void Reaver and the Legend of Zelda inspired Rupee cut are some of the most beautiful you'll ever see. Listen to this fascinating interview full of almost revealed secrets and future excitement. If you love gems, videogames or videogame gems, this is the interview for you. Arya Akhavan is a pioneer in video game-themed gem cutting. The gem cutting community is becom...

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47:24

12. Light and Wave Theory - A History

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/11/17

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet Nation: A gemmology podcast, hosts Lucinda and Simon explore the intricate relationship between light and gemstones. They discuss the importance of light in visibility and gem testing, delve into the characteristics of light waves, and examine historical theories of light, including Newton's corpuscular theory and Huygens' wave theory. The conversation also covers the significance of polarised light, the behaviours of light such as reflection, refra...

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50:35

Gem weight and Specific Gravity: How heavy are your...

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/11/10

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet nation podcast, Simon and Lucinda delve into the intricate world of gemmology, focusing on the concepts of weight, density, and specific gravity. They explore the historical significance of Archimedes' principle, practical methods for hydrostatic weighing, and the use of heavy liquids in gem identification. The hosts engage with their audience, sharing insights and personal anecdotes, while emphasising the importance of these concepts in the gem tra...

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67:54

Gem Durability: How hard are your gemstones?

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/11/03

Send us a text In this episode of FacetNation, Lucinda and Simon delve into the essential aspects of gem durability, focusing on hardness, toughness, and stability. They discuss the Mohs scale of hardness, the importance of understanding these properties for both gemologists and jewellery enthusiasts, and practical tips for caring for gemstones. The conversation also covers the differences between fracture and cleavage, the impact of chemical stability on gems, and how to properly maintain an...

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56:20

Spooktacular 2025: The World's Most Cursed Gemstones

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/10/27

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda and Simon explore the spooky side of gemstones, discussing Halloween traditions, recent robberies in the gem industry, and the history of cursed stones. They delve into tales of the Black Orlov diamond, the Bahia Emerald, The Black Prince's Ruby, and the infamous Hope Diamond, revealing the dark stories and misfortunes associated with these gems. Takeaways Halloween is a significant cultural event in America. The UK is slowly adoptin...

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66:23

Beryl: Emerald's mum and Bas's wife

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/10/20

Send us a text In this episode, Lucinda and Simon dive deep into the fascinating world of Beryl gemstones, exploring its various types, including Emerald, Aquamarine, and Bixbite. They discuss the geological formation of Beryl, its unique characteristics, and the treatments often applied to enhance its appearance. The conversation also touches on the rarity of certain Beryl varieties and the importance of understanding inclusions and localities in gemmology. With a mix of humour and insightfu...

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61:15

Gem Crystallography: Habits and Forms

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/10/13

In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda delve into the fascinating world of gemmology, focusing on crystals and their structures. They discuss the importance of understanding crystal systems, symmetry, and the various forms and habits of crystals. The conversation also covers topics such as twinning, pseudomorphs, polymorphs, and isomorphism, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of these essential concepts in gemmology. The episode concludes with a preview of the next ...

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50:34

Gem Chemistry: Materials, Structure and Chemical...

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/10/06

In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda and Simon delve into the foundational aspects of gemmology, focusing on the materials and structures that make up gemstones. They explore chemical elements, atoms, and subatomic particles, emphasising the importance of the periodic table and valency in understanding chemical bonds. The discussion covers crystalline and amorphous structures, the significance of quartz, and the formation of minerals. They categorize gemstones into oxides, silicates, carb...

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55:58

Corundum Part Two: Rubies, 'real' and otherwise

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/09/29

Keywords rubies, gemology, birthstones, Myanmar, treatments, synthetic rubies, famous rubies, gem identification, corundum, gemstone quality In this episode, Simon and Lucinda delve into the captivating world of rubies, exploring their significance as July's birthstone, the science behind their colour and quality, and the various localities where they are found. They discuss the testing and identification of rubies, the treatments that enhance their appearance, and the rise of synthetic ru...

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57:07

Corundum Part One: All Hail Queen Sapphire

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/09/22

In this episode, Lucinda and Simon delve into the fascinating world of corundum, exploring sapphires and rubies. They discuss the chemical composition, durability, and popularity of these gemstones, as well as their significance in engagement rings. The conversation also touches on the crystal structure of sapphires, the various colours and trends in the market, and the stories behind famous sapphires like the Logan Sapphire. The hosts emphasise the importance of understanding gemstones and e...

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61:18

Observation, magnification and the amazing world of...

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/09/15

In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda Beeman and Simon Barber delve into the world of gemmology, focusing on the essential skill of observation. They share their personal experiences with gemmology exams, discuss the practical techniques for examining gemstones, and explore the significance of colour, lustre, transparency, and cut in determining a gem's value. The conversation also highlights the importance of inclusions and optical effects in identifying and appreciating gemstones, provid...

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48:44

The Gem Kit

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/09/08

Summary: In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda delve into the practical side of gemmology, focusing on the essential tools every gemologist should have in their toolkit. They discuss the importance of various instruments, how to use them effectively, and the differences between testing in a real-world setting versus an exam environment. The conversation covers everything from basic tools like tweezers and loupes to advanced instruments like refractometers and spectroscopes, provi...

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35:41

WTF is Gemmology?

Facet Nation: A Gemmology Podcast ·

2025/09/01

So you wanna be a gemmologist? Or you just wanna know if granny's jewellery box is worth taking down the pawn shop? You're in the right place. In the first Facet Nation episode, you'll meet fellow gemstone obsessives Lucinda and Simon. Get the inside scoop on Gem-A and the jewellery industry at large and attempt to answer the eternal question; WTAF is gemmology? Summary In the inaugural episode of Facet Nation, hosts Lucinda Beeman and Simon Barber delve into the world of gemmology, sharing...

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16 results

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