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 Post subject: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right path)
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 4:13 pm 
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Hello,

I am 25 and I live in London and recently I found out from my father about gemology.
I originally work in fashion but I see that the industry doesn't have opportunities anymore and is very difficult to make decent money to live. I did a research about gemology and I see that is extremely interesting. I do understand that this career is not easy of course but definitely, it is a very good job.

So, for me, starting literally from 0 I want to know from other people here what it really takes to be a gemologist and follow this career path. I've been to GEM-A to ask some questions. Literally, I have hundreds of questions as every day I see something new on the internet about gemology. I want to be specialized in a diamond appraisal. Is it better to go on GEM-A or G.I.A.? Do I have to follow the whole gemology course on GEM-A? Is only the diamond diploma enough to have a job right after? What course I have to attend to be a certified diamond appraiser? Do I have to do an internship or an apprenticeship?

Thank you in advance


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:20 pm 
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Either Gem-A or GIA will get you to the point of having the base knowledge to start.

You know so little about the industry that I would hate to see you limiting yourself to just Diamonds at this point. Go for the whole course. Plus the people you meet in the classes will be that start of your career network. This can turn out to be an invaluable resource.

The Gemology courses are focused on gemological issues such as identification, and quality grading. They have almost zero valuation training. There are separate courses from other industry organizations that one should take in order to be a competent appraiser. It should be viewed as a different field.

Once you have the academic side finished, or concurrently depending on how you approach your studies either by distance or in residence, it is best to work for someone in the industry. This hands on exposure to the industry is vital.

Good luck!


Last edited by 1bwana1 on Tue Jun 04, 2019 1:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:28 pm 
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Welcome mariona193! :D
Agree with everything 1bwana1 said.
If diamonds are your passion, remember, the GIA wrote the book on diamond grading.
I prefer Gem-A with colored stones and GIA for their diamond course.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have on our platform.
We always have an opinion. :wink:


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:30 pm 
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Thank you for your replies !!!
is it mandatory to have an apprenticeship?


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:34 pm 
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An apprenticeship is an additional teaching tool.
When you say you want to become a "certified diamond appraiser", what do you mean?

Did you want to work with a lab grading diamonds?
Or, as an appraiser who values diamonds?

Neither the GIA or the Gem-A "certify" their graduates. Certify, certified, certification are widely misused terms.


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:51 pm 
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So basically I want to be an appraiser who values diamonds and other gemstones on jewelry in auctions and private sales like Christie's & Sotheby's.
I visited GEM-A here in London and I asked them about their course, the lady there actually told me that through the diamond diploma and diamond certificate you get a diamond appraiser job and that gemology is not necessary to be learned. But in the end, I think I'll start my studies from Gemology.

The Gemology course starts in September and the Diamond diploma is this July. As long as the diamond certificate doesn't have to do anything with the basics of gemology I'll attend it this summer before the Gem Foundation.

From what I understood so far I have to go through this route Gemology Foundation -> Gemology Diploma
Correct me if you think that my plans are not in the right direction

Also, any ideas why the tuition at G.I.A. is 15.000pounds and at GEM-A 4.000 pounds?
The difference is huge and the lady at GEM-A told me that G.I.A. is more commercial but there is no difference in the teaching methods.


Thank you ! :D


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Jun 03, 2019 11:34 pm 
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Many of the auction houses have internships.
Contact them and see what they require.
Bonhams
Christies
Sotheby
Heritage

Appraising is a science on to itself. One is not qualified to appraise with a gemology degree.

One needs a solid background in jewellery history to work with auctions as well.
Familiarizing yourself with hallmarking and maker's marks is essential.

Getting a job with an antique jewellery store would add to your experience and look good on your CV.
Check out
www.antiquejewellerycompany.com
https://arullmann.com/
https://www.berganza.com/

Make Hatton Gardens your second home.


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:44 pm 
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Hello...i live in the Carolinas and am nearing the age of 80
in a couple of years...i know nothing about gemstones but now have received thousands of them because of the death of a relative. How can i find out what certain gemstone's name... can i submit photos and get an answer?

Sam Simmons who knows nothing from nothing


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 10:03 am 
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Hi - are you near Raleigh?


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:46 pm 
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sandycreekusa wrote:
Hello...i live in the Carolinas and am nearing the age of 80
in a couple of years...i know nothing about gemstones but now have received thousands of them because of the death of a relative. How can i find out what certain gemstone's name... can i submit photos and get an answer?

Sam Simmons who knows nothing from nothing

You might try to locate a Gem and Mineral club in your region and see if someone there can assist with finding a qualified individual in identifying your belongings. Uploading most pictures for identification is and can be quite a guessing game, colors are sometimes misleading and as well as image focus can cause some skepticism and can depend on the individual types of stones, not that the experienced can not identify a stone by a picture in a general way but some gemstones truly need to be identified with proper tooling and by a qualified lab or professional.

_________________
The Gem Garden
San Marcos, CA


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 Post subject: Re: Starting Gemology (Please help me to choose the right pa
PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:13 pm 
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This should help.
Click on your state for a list of local Gem & Mineral clubs:
https://rocktumbler.com/blog/rock-and-mineral-clubs/


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