Asia Gemmological Institute and Laboratory (AGIL) is honored to invite internationally renowned gemological expert Professor Dr. H.A. Hänni, FGA to conduct a workshop on "Appreciation and Identification of Natural and Cultured Pearls" Professor Hänni will personally teach the workshop in English, with Dr. Dominic Mok, the principal, and teaching team providing Cantonese translation. The course curriculum is meticulously designed and includes a wide range of pearl specimens. It is an interesting and practical learning experience, and upon completion, participants will receive a certificate. Don't miss this rare opportunity!

Course Fee:  Original price HK$7,800;

                      Current student discount HK$6,800;

                      Group discount for three people @ HK$5,800.

Registration:  Phone: +852-2723 0429;

                      WhatsApp: +852-5492 4117.

Natural Pearl
Formation of shells, freshwater and saltwater cultivation, growth, pearl proteins, aragonite, conchiolin, mother-of-pearl. Formation of natural pearls. Mantle tissue capacity. Natural pearls versus pearl attachments. Cross-section. Nacreous and non-nacreous pearls. Microstructure of mother-of-pearl. Bivalve pearls and gastropod pearls (whelk and melo) including abalone. Pearl quality: size, shape, color, surface, luster, matching. Samples of natural pearls.

Cultured Pearl
Formation and principles of cultured pearls. Types of shells, types of cultured pearls, spherical, non-spherical, freshwater, marine, possible combinations, shell products, tissue grafting products. Freshwater cultured pearls produced in China. Spherical marine cultured pearls produced in Japan (Akoya). Spherical cultured pearls produced in the Middle East. Marine cultured pearls produced in China. South Sea cultured pearls from Pinctada maxima in Australia, Bali, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Production, maintenance, and yield of Tahitian cultured pearls from black-lip pearl oysters (Aratika and Rangiroa). Cultured pearls produced in the Red Sea. Cultured pearls produced in Mexico. Natural pearls called "keshi" resulting from nucleation detachment. Cross-section of cultured pearls. Materials of pearl nuclei including deformed (baroque) nuclei. Prospects for branding pearls.

Pearl Testing
Pearl testing in factories and laboratories. Chemical testing, manganese content testing, and results. Color authenticity. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray radiography. X-ray micro-layer analysis for age identification.