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 Post subject: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 3:19 pm 
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Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:16 am
Posts: 239
Location: Germany
Hi there,
i just registered here, but was reading by the last 6 month.
I´m collecting for a few years now and i´m trying to achieve more know how at the moment.
So I´m looking for a gemology education which I can do along my normal working life.
I come from germany so Idar Oberstein should be a good address, but they don´t offer distance education and i can´t spent weeks over weeks there to take courses.

So i found GIA;what do you think of their courses?

So last thing is GIA. What are your experiences or suggestions?
I would be very thankful for every hint.

Thanks and greetz
Nik


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:32 am 
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You also have the option of doing distance learning via the Gem-A.


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 5:06 am 
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Yes, I found this school on the weekend too, so I will try to check it out.
Thanks for this hint.


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 12:41 pm 
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Are you planning on going into gemology professionally?
I think formal degrees are only necessary if that is your intent.

There are a lot of options for independent study. Have you investigated some of the links on the left?


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:05 pm 
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I asked Arglthesheep what the purpose of the continuing education was to be better able to direct him/her.

To begin with, Arglthesheep is located in Germany. What gemological schools are recognized in Germany for professional employment?

Of course DGemG, but I would also investigate some of the courses provided by Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF. They are short and excellent! Check out the SSEF tutorials.

Also, Gem-A and GIA would be recognized. Gem-A preferably.

If one was just interested in personally advancing their knowledge of gems, one does not have to invest thousands of dollars.
When I was a student at DGemG, our text book was Webster's Gems: Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification... , and perhaps 50 additional pages on diamonds....(30 pages too many in my opinion :wink: )

One of the best and most reasonably priced gemological resources is The Handbook of Gemmology by Geoffrey Dominy and Tino Hammid That's under $50!

Introduction to Gemology written by Dr. Smigel is free!

Not to mention (oops, I mentioned it) the members of GemologyOnline.com are always available to help someone sort through any confusions they might encounter with technical (and emotional) industry topics.

We have links to tutorial videos by Gem-A's Starla Turner on using tools like refractometers, spectroscopes, polariscopes, etc.....free.

Now to specifically address the schools which meet the standards for the Federation for European Education in Gemmology, they are as follows:
Belgium
Academie voor Mineralogie English
Société Belge de Gemmologie Français
Germany
Deutsche Gemmologische Gesselschaft
Spain
Escola de Gemmologia de la Universitat de Barcelona English
Instituto Gemológico Español Español
France
Institut National de Gemmologie
Italy
Istituto Gemmologico Italiano
Netherlands
Dutch Gemmological Institute, Seat of the FEEG
Mr. Kesperstraat 10, 2871 GS Schoonhoven, The Netherlands.
email:dgi@zadkine.nl, tel. + 31 182 303250, fax + 31 182 303251.
Division of Vakschool Schoonhoven
Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory
Austria
WIFI Oberösterreich / Ö.Gem.G
United Kingdom
Gem-A


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:49 pm 
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Barbra, You know I have the highest regard and respect for you and certainly did not intend my post to undermine your recommendations.

I just don't think a viable school option should be over-looked on the basis of a couple of people who seem to have a personal vendetta against the owner.

It is true that the GIA and Gem-A are highly regarded--after all, they have been in the business for many decades; I would not hesitate to recommend them to those who have the fund$. I, myself, would love to study at the AIGS! However, for those of modest means or who are not sure whether gemology is something they want to pursue as a serious vocation, the ISG offers individual courses, allowing for a "toe-in-the-water" experience at a reasonable cost.

I would recommend that someone wanting to be in the industry study with as many of the schools as they can, as each seems to concentrate on slightly different areas. The learning never ends in gemology!

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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:13 am 
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@arglthesheep
If you want a degree in gemology I suggest going for Gem-A or possibly GIA. If you do not need any degree, just self study and put your money into the books Barbra suggested as well as get yourself a decent set of basic gemmological tools. At least then your cash has accomplished something of value.

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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 5:24 am 
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Diamond Council of America also have quality & affordable distance education for its members, i have all cources (The Diamond Course, Colored Gemstone Course, Diamond Studies Course, Advanced Jewelry Sales, Beginning Jewelry Sales) they are very good & comprehensive for retail and for people who want to enter the trade.

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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:40 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:16 am
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Location: Germany
Thanks to all for all the tipps and information.
Selfstudy is one of my biggest purpose.
At the moment I don´t need certificates, i´m just collecting and want to achieve more knowledge and better understanding.

One of my bigger problems is to gain more experience in inclusion detection/examination and how to use some intruments more effectivly. Because sometimes it is very hard for me to see the differences between syntetics and natural stones under the microscope or even to identify which one i´m just analyzing.
Here is missing professional guidance to see and understand easier, because I don´t have any collector or experienced gemologist who can show where I have to focus my attention and where it is just a one way street and time waste....

I think a very good tip is to buy more books and work more intensivly.

Thanks for all your advice, I think the best way is more selfstudy and then perhaps taking a few praxis lessons at some of the schools you mentioned above. I think this is by far the best forum i´ve been the last years, so I think here I can learn a lot...
Think we read soon again...
Best wishes...


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 12:35 pm 
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arglthesheep wrote:
I think a very good tip is to buy more books and work more intensivly.


these are indispensable http://www.microworldofgems.com/ unfortunately it seens the vol 1 is out of stock.... :(

ciao
alberto

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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 3:44 pm 
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@Alberto
yes this should be the next to buy. I just ordered "microworld of diamonds" which seems to be a very good book from koivula too. The Photoatlas 2 and 3 i will probably donate myself for christmas :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
I will check out the books, which Barbra mentioned above too, so i hope i will step forward.
Thanks again.


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:08 pm 
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Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:16 am
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@Barbra
Thanks a lot.

with "Introduction to Gemology written by Dr. Smigel is free! " i´m already working on.

and just purchased "One of the best and most reasonably priced gemological resources is The Handbook of Gemmology by Geoffrey Dominy and Tino Hammid That's under $50!"

thanks again for this tip.

Best wishes


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:48 pm 
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arglthesheep wrote:
.... just purchased "One of the best and most reasonably priced gemological resources is The Handbook of Gemmology by Geoffrey Dominy and Tino Hammid That's under $50!"

thanks again for this tip.

Best wishes

believe me its all you need for now (and probably a long long time) even if you take GIA courses you will see this book has every thing you need and once can ask for, its very handy. maybe later you can buy some gemological tool and play with them and self educate yourself.

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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:49 pm 
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@roshanravan
allready purchased 8) and working with....


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 Post subject: Re: distance education for gemology?
PostPosted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:42 pm 
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I thought I might pipe in here myself... I actually started my studies through the International Gem Society. I'm not sure if their Professional Gemologist is recognized in the industry. But the IGS is affordable and quite comprehensive. There are new people at the helm who are revamping the entire website...
I have taken an online GIA course, Accredited Jewelry Professional. That was important for me because I wanted to be an alumni.
Right now I am taking an online course through the International School of Gemology (ISG). If I decide to pursue my Registered Gemologist cert, I can apply this course to the requirements.
Good luck, if you have any questions, you can ask this relative newbie ;)
Julie

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