Assignment 1 Discussion

[Prof. Kendra Givens]

In the class forum on the HOL forum, tell us - what made you interested in taking this class? What prior knowledge about gemstones do you bring to this class, if any? Do you have a favorite stone? What are you hoping to learn from this class? Tell us anything you'd like to, as long as you write at least 150 words! (15 points)

[Anne-Marie Gagne]

I write an article for The HOwLer that's about gemstones (that did just start off with me doing the birthstone idea from the Idea Bank lol) and they're some of my favorite things to read about so I have a fair amount of knowledge prior to this class. I've always loved learning about them and when you brought up that you had a class in the works for this in the IRC chat, I was automatically hooked in and waiting (mostly) patiently for it to be available to take.

My favorite gemstone is amethyst! It's so pretty and also why my favorite color is purple. I also do really like my own birthstones moonstone, alexandrite, and pearl but especially moonstones. Those gemstones always look really neat to me.

I'm hoping to learn things about the stones that I haven't found in my own research of them for my article! And anything I do learn I'll keep out of my article so that people who read it will be able to learn something new as well!

[Prof. Will Lestrange]

[OUT OF CHARACTER]
I have heard Prof. Kendra Givens (possibly before she was even a professor) talk about wanting to teach this class for quite some time, and remembered her talking about her ideas for the class with much interest. This made me want to learn a bit about the course to see the topic through her eyes!

My most recent experience with gemstones was through a game known as "Quixort" where you need to work together as a team to sort nine falling blocks (plus maybe some junk blocks to throw away) in order from left to right. Our topic one round was "birthstones" with January on the left and December on the right, but I only knew five of the birthstones at the time: aquamarine (March), diamond (April), emerald (May), sapphire (September), and opal (October) - only knowing the last two because of the trick 'sapphire and September begin with S; opal and October begin with O'. We gave a valiant effort - with someone even supplying my in-character birthstone (topaz/November) which I didn't know offhand... except it was all for naught when we placed turquoise at the wrong end of the scale; we had it at January instead of December.

As we moved onto other games, I made sure to memorize a list of birthstones in real time, using memory tricks, one for each month: garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, pearl, ruby, peridot, sapphire, opal, topaz, turquoise (though this course gives a different gemstone as the 'main' one for December). This gave me a sense of what I was missing!

My 'favorite' would be my out-of-character birthstone, emerald (for May)... and I'll also add that sometimes birthstones are associated with zodiac sun signs rather than months; e.g. aquamarine is for Pisces instead of March (and therefore gains the end of February but loses the end of March) - but I look forward to seeing what I can learn from this course!

[Sophia Williams]

I chose to that this class because one of my friends is very interested in gemstones and would tell me about them. Once I saw this course on the website, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge a little bit more and understand more about gemstones. I have very basic knowledge about gemstones, mostly coming from my friend who told me a bit the properties of different gemstones. I also own a pink quartz that I bought with my friend a few months ago. This is the stone I know the most about. I also know some technical terms, such as the one learnt today (how they are forms, how to qualify their purity and worth, and different cuts) as I study them during university. I don’t have a favourite stone, as I found them all fascinating. During this class, I’m the most excited to learn more about the birth stones, especially their properties and how they were used by different civilisations.

[Emily Spencer]

I chose to take this class because gemstones have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. Plus, at the sake of sounding vain, I am a jewelry hound! I cannot even begin to tell you how many hours I have logged watching JTV (jewelry television) or Shop LC (another jewelry channel). I am a regular magpie in that aspect; if it sparkles, I want it!
Well, that's not exactly true. Even if it doesn't sparkle, I want it (pearls and turquoise, anyone?). Since we were children, my sister and I have accumulated a rather impressive rock collection of which we are most proud!

While I cannot claim to have a gemologist for a mum (how cool!), nor am I an expert on the subject, I have accumulated some knowledge along the way. I love to read about gemstones and rocks and in fact, just acquired recently a book on the subject written by gemologist Daniel Dennis. Stop laughing; watching jewelry on television can be pretty educational! Both channels have expert gemologists on staff who give mini-lectures and offer information on the stones they are selling. I may not be able to afford any gemstone offered by Tony Diniz (a gemologist with 20+ years of experience), but I have learned quite a bit from him.

My favorite stone? Can I just say all of them?! Seriously, that's a hard call, Professor. If I had to make a pick, I suppose it would be pearls. Not only do I find them beautiful, but I have a personal collection with them. My 'real name' is based (in part) on a legendary mermaid's name, so..mermaids, sea, pearls...you get the point.

I am hoping to learn more about gemstones, which will make me a more savvy collector and purchaser. Besides, I love learning new things; yes, my Ravenclaw is showing!