Free GIA Essentials Courses

[snotty_pie]

Least intuitive UI ever (thanks Oracle...), but if you successfully enroll, you will get an email titled "Welcome to GIA Education". Make sure to read the attached DOCX so you can enroll. I had to reset my password (the temp password they emailed me didn't work, so went through the reset password flow to log in). Then when you're going through the "GIA enrollment link" choose the goal of AJP to get the 3 classes to show up. It will appear like it's charging $250, but if you follow the flow (which looks like it dead ends in a weird payment page that doesn't work) without paying and then go back to the Student Center, you'll see the class available. Phew!

 

[1ofakind]

It took 4 password resets to get in but now it says I'm not enrolled. But I'm the person that even if I get in the shortest line it is then guaranteed to take the longest. It's not a great super power to have. The technical support person is being very helpful by email so I am confident it will get resolved.

 

[ringo865]

Thank you!! I will find out tomorrow whether the enrollment worked! This is SO Great!!!

 

[1ofakind]

@snotty_pie Did you sign up for only one class or do we enroll in all three with staggered start dates?

 

[snotty_pie]

@snotty_pie Did you sign up for only one class or do we enroll in all three with staggered start dates?

I only signed up for one class right now. I'm also fortunate enough to be working full time right now, so trying to see how much time the first one takes before enrolling for the other two.

 

[1ofakind]

Yeah I'm all set! The support person did say to go ahead and enroll in all three classes but recommended staggering the start dates as far as possible.

 

[bright ice]

I’m enrolled!
I hope I can access it tomorrow!

 

[Tonks]

I’m trying to register now and I am stuck on the country code for phone number. Isn’t the US country code 1? I have tried every combination of 1 (001, 01, 1) that I can think of, and it won’t let me enter any of them. What on earth did y’all put for that?

 

[bright ice]

I’m trying to register now and I am stuck on the country code for phone number. Isn’t the US country code 1? I have tried every combination of 1 (001, 01, 1) that I can think of, and it won’t let me enter any of them. What on earth did y’all put for that?

I had the same problem, you have to click on USA.

 

[Alexiszoe]

@pearaffair , thanks so much for this. Just last week my other half was saying I should consider taking some GIA courses what with so much downtime during this virus situation and given how much I love diamonds and jewelry.

Have finally registered!

 

[Alexiszoe]

For anyone who has password issues after registration i.e. it keeps showing you the "password expired" link after you enter your temp password, even if you use FireFox browser, try this.

After you click on "reset password" and the page tells you it's unsuccessful, leave that page open for a few minutes.

After a while it will automatically redirect and open up the page that allows you to change your password.

 

[Nikki1415]

I'll be registering later since I need to finish this semester of Grad school first.

 

[bludiva]

i'm doing this too, thanks for sharing @pearaffair

 

[pearaffair]

So glad to have some fellow GIA students now! Make sure to supplement with webinars from @gemxclub and Rui! I’ll link later, on my computer.

 

[pearaffair]

https://m.facebook.com/pg/ruigalopimdecarvalho/posts/

His webinars are EXCELLENT. And entertaining! Strong recommend.

@gemxclub you can find on Instagram and their webinars are very behind-the-scenes good fun!

 

[Niffler75]

Hi everyone Signed up for the coloured stones course! @pearaffair Thanks for the tips on webinars!
This will help me stay (reasonably) sane during lockdown!

 

[autumngems]

Woohoo I got my login I will logon when I get home and select classes! I am excited

 

[Starfacet]

I signed up for all 3 starting Monday 5/11. Is anyone buying the books? They are optional, but I wondered if anyone knows if they're worth buying?

 

[pearaffair]

I signed up for all 3 starting Monday 5/11. Is anyone buying the books? They are optional, but I wondered if anyone knows if they're worth buying?

They are identical to the online course material. Only difference is that the online course material has videos! Personally I would not buy the books unless I wanted to reduce my screen time. Sooo yeah, I have bought some books! But not the essentials.

You can save the downloadable pdf files of the chapters if you think you want to refer back at some point

 

[autumngems]

We would need to download Blackboard too correct?

 

[Starfacet]

They are identical to the online course material. Only difference is that the online course material has videos! Personally I would not buy the books unless I wanted to reduce my screen time. Sooo yeah, I have bought some books! But not the essentials.

You can save the downloadable pdf files of the chapters if you think you want to refer back at some point

Thanks!

 

[bludiva]

We would need to download Blackboard too correct?

you don't have to download it, it's web based

 

[autumngems]

you don't have to download it, it's web based

I assume it will ask me to make a login when I start the course.

 

[bludiva]

I assume it will ask me to make a login when I start the course.

yep, exactly

 

[snotty_pie]

It has a SSO (single sign-on) authentication from the GIA site to the Blackboard site, and it's all web based.

Finished (and passed!) the Colored Gemstones class today.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

Finished the jewelry essentials today! I staggered them to all start on Monday so I think I have colored gemstones for next week

 

[Niffler75]

@Asscherhalo_lover I'm starting coloured gemstones on monday!

 

[1ofakind]

I was supposed to start today but I still can't even get logged in. I was able to accept all the terms but then the password issues have started up again. I tried to reset and it says they sent an email but it's been a couple hours and no email. Anyone else having these issues ?

 

[snotty_pie]

I signed up for Diamonds and the Jewelry Essentials class to start today, but when I log into Blackboard, only the Colored Gems class shows up

Will try again tomorrow.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

How many hours did it take to finish the course? Is the exam hard? Would the average PSer be able to pass it without too much studying?