ODE to Gemology

G. Robert Crowningshield

For over 60 years students of Gemology have struggled with spectrums; bewildered by birefringence, and simply plagued by pleochrosim. The following sonnet is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, a glow to your heart, and a simple reminder that students of life and gemology re-discover natures gifts all over again, every day.

The following is reprinted with very minor edits from The Loupe, vol. V, No.2, Mar-Apr, 1953 p. 3.

Courtesy of the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library

Dedicated to G. Robert Crowningshield, Bert Krashes, & Bill Jean

ODE to Gemology

By a GIA On-Campus Student

Dispersion, fire, aventurescence,

Orient, sheen, or iridescence—

Refractive index—high or low—

The luster should indicate that, you know.

Polarization—double or single—

What to do now! They intermingle!

Pleochroic colors you really should see;

Was that only two, or actually three?

Birefringence should help you a lot—

Use your polarizer, and watch the spot.

Now did it jump most, on low or on high?

Sure you can get it; if you really try.

Your liquids should be an aid, I think.

Does it float, suspend, or slowly sink?

Just use your imagination now—

(He doesn’t see me wiping my brow!)

Solid inclusions, or only bubbles?

Huh! They brush right off! I still got troubles—

Look for crystals and fingerprints—

Are the striae straight or are they bent?

You finally make your indentifications—

“You only missed one! Congratulations!

You’re doing fine! It’s just speed you lack!”

(I feel like using a well-placed tack.)

This scientific approach is tough

And you feel like shouting, “I’ve had enough!”

But, sooner or later, you see the light

And you know that this approach is right.

So to all who have helped us may we humbly say,

“Thank God, we had you to show us the way

To a life that is full of the things that are real—

And the appreciation you’ve taught us to feel

For the things which Nature so graciously gives—

You’ve given us something by which to live.”

“Anomalous”

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