Mineralogy

The Head of the Chair, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.S.Marfunin

The Chair trains students in two areas of specialization: (1) "Mineralogy" and (2) "Gemology". Students specializing in both areas are provided with core courses in mineralogy, methods of investigation of minerals, thermodynamics of minerals, physics of minerals, basics of gemology.

Since 2000 two specialists have earned Sc.D. and more than 10 Ph.D. The members of the Chair have published over 150 scientific articles, monographs and text-books. About 50 new minerals have been discovered.

A unique collection of minerals, ores, rocks and meteorites is available for educational and scientific purposes.

In 1995 with the support by Russian GOHRAN on the basis of the Chair of Mineralogy the Gemology Centre was established. The Gemology Centre is engaged in educational programmes, scientific researches, development of innovative technologies and methods of prospecting and enrichment of mineral resources, gemological expertise, marketing research and consulting in the field of gems and precious metals, and assistance to formation of the diamond complex in Russia. Members, students and post-graduate students of the Chair widely use modern methods of investigations of minerals, including optical microscopy and spectroscopy; IR and UV spectroscopy; electron probe microanalyses; scanning electron microscopy; electron spin resonance; Raman spectroscopy; various X-ray, thermic and magnetic methods of mineral investigations.

Many scientific projects are undertaken in cooperation with scientists from Germany, South Africa, Brazil, France, USA, Japan, Bulgaria and other countries.

Field works in the ëhibin Mountains

Students studying mineralogy at the field training in gemology in St.-Petersburg