Introduction to Gemology

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General information on Gemology

What is Gemology

Gemology is the science and study of gemstones, which often involves the study of mineralogical fundamentals such as formations, genesis, localities, physical properties and identification of gemstones. It includes the basic knowledge of structural, crystallographic, chemical and physical characteristics and properties of gems. It also involves the way in which gemstones are fashioned.

Special Gemology deals with categories and varieties of gemstones, synthetic stones and imitations. Conventionally, the organic substances such as amber, pearls, coral and the non-minerals are also included in this subject of special gemology.

Practical Gemology refers to the application of the knowledge of characteristics and properties of gemstones in identification or separation of synthetics and imitations. Diamond grading is included in practical gemology.

What is a Gemologist

A gemologist is someone who studies gemstones. Being recognized as a gemologist usually involves having credentials from one of the Institutes for Gem(m)ological Studies discussed below (see Becoming a Gemologist).

What are gemstones

Gemstones are usually minerals but sometimes inorganic substances. What separates them from minerals in general is that they are used in jewelry.
That is a very thin line of separation, but usually we take 4 factors into account:

And of course the 5th factor:

All the factors above are very subjective, for instance Amber has very poor durabilty, isn't very rare and in general is not highly priced. Yet it is considered to be a gem due to its beauty. On the counterpart, most Sapphire has good durability but can be very unattractive and cheap. Only a small portion of all Sapphires mined have good color/beauty.

Becoming a Gemologist

Becoming a gemologist in general means hard work and commitment. A wise teacher once said "You are only permitted to read books related to our trade and a religious book of your choice from now on . . . for the rest of your life".

Education

Gem-A

Better known as The Gemmological Association and Gem Testing Laboratory of Great-Britain,
this school is London based with departments worldwide. It offers distance tutoring as well as through teaching centers.
The primary focus is on indepth theory and the exams are the hardest to take in the industry. A fellowship of Gem-A means esteem.

Costs:

Foundation correspondence course GBP 993.00
Diploma correspondence course GBP 1356.00 (on completion is granted the FGA title).

Gem Diamond diploma course GBP 1584.00 (on completion is granted the DGA title).

Website http://gem-a.info/

GIA

The Gemological Institute of America is the most prestigious and respected institute for gemology within the United States. Its main location is in Carlsbad, California, with facilities in New York and Los Angeles. Correspondence courses are available and encouraged. It was established in 1931, and currently the GIA is the world’s largest and one of the most respected nonprofit institutes of gemological research and learning internationally. It employs nearly 900, including scientists, diamond graders, and educators.

Costs:

On campus (CB/NY/LA): 6 month continuous program (780 hours) $13,995

Distance Education: GEM130, GEM230, GEM230L, GEM120, GEM220,GEM220L, GEM240, GEM240L (Maximum completion time: 63 months) $6,975 ($7,395 International)

What you earn: Graduate Gemologist Diploma, Graduate Diamonds Diploma, Graduate Colored Stones Diploma
Website: http://www.gia.edu

AIGS

Thailand is in the heart of Southeast Asia 's gem and jewelry production and trading area. It presents you with an extraordinary opportunity to learn gemology in theory and practice while experiencing the gem business in a three dimensional way.

The A.G. program, which leads to the A.G. (Accredited Gemologist) Diploma, includes the four core courses:

E102: Gem Identification
E103: Diamond Grading and Pricing
E201: Colored Stone Grading and Pricing
E301: Synthetic and Treated Gem Identification.

These 4 courses can be studied in any order, in one or several study periods at AIGS. It is recommended that “Gem Identification” be studied before “Synthethics and Treated Gems”.

Students enrolling in the entire A.G. program are entitled to a 15% discount off the total tuition fee. Courses must be taken within one year of the first date of payment. Beyond the one year period, students will be subjected to any tuition increases that may have occurred. (Example: Old fee = 20,000 Baht, New fee in effect since date of enrollment = 22,000 Baht, Additional amount to be paid = 2,000 Baht.)

Living expenses and general overhead are amazingly low compared to countries such as USA, Japan and most of Europe. Students studying at the AIGS can live with a US$600 to US$1000 budget per month including lodging near the school, weekend field trips, restaurants and entertainment. Of course, you can spend much more if you want to, but this amount yields a comfortable lifestyle!
Website: http://www.aigsthailand.com/

DGemG

The Deutsche Gemmologische Gesellschaft (The Educational Training Center of the German Gemmological Association) is located in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Idar-Oberstin is an international colored stone gem capital, where gem cutting has been traditionally mastered for centuries. It is currently bustling with local gem artists and studios. It has, perhaps, the highest per capita population of gem cutters in the world! The German Gemmological Association was founded in 1932. Its laboratories have modern state of the art equipment, and one of the most extensive colored and exotic gemstone collections available.

Costs:

Euro 5,800.00

Website:http://www.dgemg.de/gemmologen_eng/index.php?seite=home

FGAA

The Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA), founded in 1945, is Australia’s historic trade-accepted non-profit educational authority for gemmology.
They offer gemmological courses in 6 state divisions.

Costs: contact one of the six state divisions for pricing.

Website: www.gem.org.au

CGA

The Canadian Gemmological Association, based in Toronto Canada, is a Canada-wide professional organization which has set the standard for excellence in the practice of gemmology. It was founded in 1958 by Dean S.M. Field, and has since provided training in gemmology to persons dealing with gemstones in the jewellery industry and to hobbyists for better appreciation and possible new career opportunities within gemmology.

They offer a years correspondence course as well classes on location.

Costs:

The two year correspondence course, leading to a Diploma in Gemmology and a Fellowship (FCGmA) in the Canadian Gemmological Association, is offered for CAD 2,020.00

Webite canadagemmological.com

Post Graduate

After gaining your gemological diploma, the real fun starts. You will know the basics and more importantly you will know how to read the many articles published in various periodicals.
If you keep up to date and involved, you will be a good gemologist one day.

Career Opportunities

As with any profession, it is all up to you what you will become and what your salary will be.

Think of a gemological diploma as if you have finished your first year in college and the payrate according to that when you start out.
You will be qualified to find jobs in gemological laboratories worldwide, be the key figure in the local jewelry store, manager of a tellsell company, start your own gemtrading business, become an appraiser, shoveling municipal gardens etc.
Anything you set your mind to.

Payrate is according to experience, but a starting wage of USD 20,000.00 sounds fair (depending on locality/age/experience ofcourse).
Best advice is to start networking from the start and to seek a new employer every few years so you can gain as much know-how as you can.