Canadian Gemmological Association Program - Vancouver

[mausketeer]

Hi there. I''m new here and am looking for some input. After a change of plans as far as making a career move to become a bench jeweller (cannot take the time off work) I have enrolled in the Vancouver Community College''s CGA gemmologist diploma program (Vancouver,Canada). It''s a continuing studies course (one night a week for the first year, two nights a week for the second year). It''s affiliated with the Gemmological Association Gem Testing Lab of Great Britain as well. Just wondered if anyone here has taken this course?

I am realizing that to become a jewellery appraiser afterward will be a long hard road and wondered what other career options there are (IE: outside of the jewelery trade) Anything? I understand that this particular course focuses more on the scientific side of gemstones - not so much towards the jewellery trade, which is what I like about it (I am not keen to get into the sales business afterwards, let me just say that). I was looking at it as an alternative to taking one or two years off work to learn bench jewellery, but if I can''t do anything with it afterwards, I don''t think I would bother.

I have registered and paid part of the tuition (it''s relatively affordable as it IS in Canada, only about $5,000 in total for the two year course) but can get it refunded up to the time I finish the first class (starts soon!)

Thanks!!!

 

[denverappraiser]

It’s a terrific program and I highly recommend it for people who find Vancouver to be convenient. Actually, they have a mail order program that’s pretty darned good as well. This is the least expensive route in the world to an FGA.

Career opportunities are an interesting question. Most gemologists apply their trade in the form of jewelry sales because they don’t want to go through the trouble of learning appraising. Gemology training is usually a prerequisite to being a jewelry appraiser but it’s far from the whole program. If you don’t think you have the time to learn some bench skills you definitely don’t have the time to invest in becoming an appraiser. Appraising is a career move for education junkies because the training literally never stops.

Other career opportunities for gemologists include:

Retail trades:
Retail Sales
Bench jeweler
Jewelry designer
Appraiser
Jewelry store owner
Internet sales
Jewelry store management
Cruise director

Wholesale trades:
Grader/sorter
Wholesale sales
Importer

Resale trades including:
Pawnshop
Refinery/salvage
Estate resolution
Picker

Manufacturing trades including:
Mining
Cutting/Lapidary
Manufacturing jeweler

Freelance trades including:
Buyers agent
Sales rep

Miscellaneous trades including:
Instructor
Researcher
Lab grader
Auctioneer
Gem/Jewelry related travel
Law enforcement
Banking
Software development

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver

 

[mausketeer]

Thanks for the info Neil....... I am thinking I would probably be more interested in the "behind the scenes" aspect of it. Grading, sorting, lab work etc. As I said I was originally interested in bench jewellery, that didn''t pan out, I stumbled across the CGA course here in Vancouver and realized that what I found REALLY interesting in the jewellery aspect was the gemstones so.... thought it would be a good fit.

Also, I word for the Federal government here and I have heard that they use gemmologists in the Customs department. Also the RCMP (I guess for stolen merchancize?) But again, that comes back to what other qualifications I would need. I am realizing that gemmology on it''s own wont'' be enough to become an appraiser...... but I do love ROCKS! lol I would just get LOST for hours in the "hall of minerals" at Harvard University. It was AMAZING!

Any more info from anyone regarding the Vancouver course is appreciated......

Thanks!

 

[Alastor]

I am in the same boat as you mausketeer. I want to work behind the scenes as a grader in a lab or something like that.

I was advised by a jeweller friend of mine to take the G.G. at GIA because it is supposed to be the Harvard of Gemology schools.

 

[lyra]

That''s great to hear that these courses are now available for you. Twenty some years ago I took 2 introductory courses under Wolf Kuehn at what was then the Pacific Institute of Gemmology. It was at that time strictly night school, located in downtown Vancouver. Not the greatest place to study and then have to catch a bus home after 10pm.

Before that I did the GIA Coloured Stone Course via correspondence. I wish I''d had better options back then. I would have stuck with it if it were more easily available. Good luck!

 

[denverappraiser]

For purposes of finding employment, at least in the US, the GIA GG is the most recognized diploma available by a substantial margin. Outside of the US this changes a bit and the Gem-A FGA diploma is well recognized. Both will have a decent shot at getting you a job and, with experience, both can be a stepping stone to a career in gemology. The FGA program as taught through the CGA is arguably a better education in gems and it’s less than half the price of the GIA version. There are several other learning centers associated with Gem-A, including one in the US at the California Institute of Jewelry. As the US dollar drops the Canadian thing is looking less and less like a bargain for those of us down south but for Canadians it’s still a whole bunch less money and for Vancouver locals, it’s a great deal. I have hired their graduates and I have read their materials and I’ve even been a member of the Canadian Gemmological Association although I’m not currently. They’re a great group.

For people who just want to learn about gems for fun, there’s a free course at UC Berkeley and a personal favorite by Barbara Smigel. There’s an inexpensive one called International School of Gemology.

UC Berkeley
Barabara Smigel
ISG
CIJT

I’ld also like to toss in a plug for the Asian Institute for Gemological Sciences in Bangkok. They certainly aren’t in Canada but they’re a high quality school that graduates smart people for a reasonable tuition. Their 'hands on' program for colored stones is the best in the world. http://www.aigsthailand.com

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Jewelry Appraisals in Denver

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Great synopsis Neil, on both the schools and the employment opportunities.

The FGA is an excellent course and degree. I''ve heard it characterized as a "Masters" in gemology, with the GIA GG characterized as a Bachelors in gemology.

Both are springboards to other aspects of the gem industry. Nothing substitutes for practical experience though. I recommend five years practical experience in the industry along with a gemology degree before attempting appraising.

Sales is the quickest and easiest way to make money, in my opinion. A gemologist sales person with a good company is going to make decent money, while a savvy salesperson with a bankroll working for themselves is going to probably make good money.

Plus this business is just downright fun. You have a lot of fun and make a lot of friends.

 

[mausketeer]

Hmmm - looks like the most practical thing for me to do is to take the CGA course here (it is 5 blocks away from where I work - makes it very convenient) I live in a small open plan apartment with two very annoying animals, so if I WERE to take a correspondence course it would be a nightmare ("don''t EAT that you stupid dog!")

If I get through the first year and I love it, awesome - if I don''t then I won''t persue it. As I said, I HAVE always been fascinated with rocks, stones, geology etc. so just the idea of studying these things at all makes me excited, even if nothing comes of it........

Thanks everyone for your input -

Jodie

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Would be very interested in hearing what you decide to do and how the course goes. I''m thinking about doing the UK version by distance learning, when I finish my current studies (in a totally different field) next year. Would be great to hear your experiences of this!

Jen