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Interest in Gemology, but what should I be?

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LeilaniRL

LeilaniRL

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 15, 2008
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35
Hello All:

I''m a newbie on the forums, but an oldie when it comes to diamonds. Since I was young, I have been visiting jewelry stores to talk with dealers about cuts and symmetry, color, and clarity. Now I can "grade" a loose stone by just looking at it. I am known at the local mall stores for this "skill" and the employees like to quiz me now and then. Fun! I also admire colored gemstones, especially ones that they DON''T carry at your local jeweler. Doing research on those stones is a favorite past time. I am very good with a loupe, and even better with the microscope.

I have developed a genuine love for all jewelry, be it mine or a friend''s. I love to touch and inspect pieces. I love to research about the newest technologies. I love the artistic aspect of jewelry - what''s new and modern, and the old and historic. I especially love to CLEAN them and educate my friends on their jewels while I do it. Then when all is done, I watch the jewelry sparkle (or glow)!

I have researched GIA''s and Gem-A''s education sites, talked it over with my hubby, and decided that I should get a degree in Gemology. However, I don''t know which route to take. With the information above, could someone help me determine what''s best for my personality? I am a graphic designer/video producer who likes to talk a lot about jewelry in general. I''m also a good listener!

What the best route for me?
 
Date: 1/5/2009 3:46:59 PM
Author:LeilaniRL
Hello All:

I''m a newbie on the forums, but an oldie when it comes to diamonds. Since I was young, I have been visiting jewelry stores to talk with dealers about cuts and symmetry, color, and clarity. Now I can ''grade'' a loose stone by just looking at it. I am known at the local mall stores for this ''skill'' and the employees like to quiz me now and then. Fun! I also admire colored gemstones, especially ones that they DON''T carry at your local jeweler. Doing research on those stones is a favorite past time. I am very good with a loupe, and even better with the microscope.

I have developed a genuine love for all jewelry, be it mine or a friend''s. I love to touch and inspect pieces. I love to research about the newest technologies. I love the artistic aspect of jewelry - what''s new and modern, and the old and historic. I especially love to CLEAN them and educate my friends on their jewels while I do it. Then when all is done, I watch the jewelry sparkle (or glow)!

I have researched GIA''s and Gem-A''s education sites, talked it over with my hubby, and decided that I should get a degree in Gemology. However, I don''t know which route to take. With the information above, could someone help me determine what''s best for my personality? I am a graphic designer/video producer who likes to talk a lot about jewelry in general. I''m also a good listener!

What the best route for me?
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I shall page Coaties for you, she recently completed her GIA GG course and I am sure she will have lots of good advice!
 
Thanks, Lorelei!

- Leilani
 
Thanks Lorelei!

Hi LeilaniRL,

I too am a person with an art background (writing/theatre) who has a huge interest in gemology. I just completed the graduate gemologist program at GIA, and it's one of the best things I've ever done.

I understand your confusion about what to do after school. I'm going through this right now. I want to work in colored stones. I'm up for a job at a great vendor--still waiting to see. Been on many interviews in the last few months, and I'm still trying to figure out what exactly I want to do.

With your design background--seems jewelry design would be a great option for you. What do you think? I really love gemology, and I've even considered lab work, but the folks that I've met in the industry tell me I'm too extroverted to be shut in a lab haha! I think I'd have great fun in a lab!

There are many careers within gemology. I think it's best to focus on what you love the most and go from there, and school will change that too. I learned that I love studying the properties of colored stones, and I'd love to travel to mines to learn more. I went into it thinking I might work in diamonds, but colored stones have overtaken my interest--I even want to try faceting. I think it's good to keep your options open--you never know where anything may lead.

Well, that was a ramble! Please excuse any typos--I'm typing with one hand--have a broken finger in a cast.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
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eta: Take your time and see how your coursework changes you. I loved the work--though I got very tired of grading diamonds haha--Colored Stone Identification is much more fun imho!
 
coatimundi,

That was a FAST response! It''s funny to hear that you''re in the same boat. Do you think that I should take the A.J.P. program first? I don''t really want to "sell" jewels at the local mall (honestly, I''m kinda skeptical of some business practices and marked up prices). If I DO sell jewelry, it''ll have to be some where that I trust! But I guess I need the experience, huh?
 
The A.J.P. was a freebie with the G.G.--we had the choice not to do it. I did it, because I had to be in class for lab anyway. I don't think it's necessary--you can do it in your sleep haha. I went for gem identification primarily.

And don't diss on sales too much haha--this industry is based on selling--no way around it.
 
Hahahah!!! Diss on sales! Hahaha!!!

Where did you take your lab at?
 
I did the full time on campus program.
 
LUCKY! I live in Jacksonville, FL so I will have to do the distance thing. Thank you, Coati, for your experience and advice! It''s getting me really excited!

If anyone else would like to chime in, feel free!

- Leilani
 
i''ve recently begun researching a career in gemology, as well!!!
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coati - i think lorelei mentioned that you just completed the GG program at GIA. would you recommend it? i hear that the international school of gemology has a very comprehensive program for a fraction of the cost. do you know anything about the different programs? how was your experience at GIA? are you in the nyc area? thanks so much!

wow. thank goodness for pricescope!
 
LeilaniRL,

GIA N.Y. is about to start up again. You probably want to contact them to sign up for courses in Gemology.

Best of luck!
 
The Gem-A program is a lot more technical than the GIA approach and GIA is quite a bit more sales driven. If you’re in the US and you want to get a job in the field, GIA credentials are a lot more marketable although I think it’s not correct to say that they are ‘better’. The Gem-A program, offered by mail through the Canadian Gemmological Association is quite a bit less expensive than GIA’s. ISG in Texas has a good program and they are indeed far less expensive than either of the above and I regularly recommend them if the goal is to learn material that interests you and you like the formal education route but, at the moment, if you're looking for an employment credential in the US, I would go with GIA despite the price. By a wide margin they're the recognized credential.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
I am just finishing the first course in the GIA GG distance program and I love it, I very much recommend it.

I have no idea what I will do once I graduate, I think that later in the program I will have a more solid idea (I hope!). Right now I''m in sales (non-jewelery related) so that part will come naturally, my dream would be to own or work at a spot like Good Old Gold. I would love to make videos and play with sparklies in the diamond dock, and mostly educate people about diamonds. I guess I do have a clearer idea of what I want to do!!

Anyway, good luck deciding and let me know if you have any questions about the distance part, maybe I can help
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Date: 1/14/2009 12:55:18 PM
Author: denverappraiser
The Gem-A program is a lot more technical than the GIA approach and GIA is quite a bit more sales driven. If you’re in the US and you want to get a job in the field, GIA credentials are a lot more marketable although I think it’s not correct to say that they are ‘better’. The Gem-A program, offered by mail through the Canadian Gemmological Association is quite a bit less expensive than GIA’s. ISG in Texas has a good program and they are indeed far less expensive than either of the above and I regularly recommend them if the goal is to learn material that interests you and you like the formal education route but, at the moment, if you're looking for an employment credential in the US, I would go with GIA despite the price. By a wide margin they're the recognized credential.


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver
Click to expand...

My instructors at GIA told me that the program used to be more sales driven. They have revised the program in the last 15 or so years. The information is now weighted to the technical. The sales portion is in the Accredited Jewelry Professional course--not in colored stones/diamonds--not a focus of the G.G.

I can't recommend GIA highly enough. I went in for technical information, and GIA delivered. The program is constantly being improved and updated.

When the program began, it was primarily technical. People complained that it didn't offer enough practical information, so the sales curriculum was added. Then, the science took a back seat, so they had to revise again to create a balance of information--both scientific and practical.
 
Hi everyone! I''m really curious about the GIA program, but less from a possible career perspective.

I was just wondering if people take the GIA program more for interest, even though they don''t necessarily want to pursue a career in gemology. Do you think it''s still worth it, or is it too much, I guess, if you''re looking at gems more as a hobby? Too expensive then? Time consuming?

Thanks!
 
I'm in the UK and halfway through my FGA with Gem-A.

It's very technical and you don't get to see anything in the way of gemstones for a good long while! The FGA suited me as I was looking for a more academic course and is the more recognised in the UK. There are differences between the FGA and the GG and it is definitely worth working out which will suit your needs better.

It is extremely time consuming - the quickest you can complete the distance course is 2 years, but 2.5 years is more realistic. I reckon on setting aside a whole weekend for an assignment and doing extra reading during the week. To do the course in 2 years you would need to be submitting assignments on average every 2 weeks or so, so it's a big commitment especially if you are working full-time. The exams are in January and June each year.

My background is in design - I have a degree in Textile Design and worked as a professional designer in the textiles, fashion and jewellery industries for over 12 years. I'm currently working in politics, but do a fair amount of commission work on the side.
 
First thing that popped into my head was Appraiser! Maybe in addition to something else but as an appraiser you would be able to see, inspect and educate on some great pieces for sure! Good luck in what ever you decide!
 
i''ve been trying to google around for information, but seem to coming up rather bland...

what does the career outlook look like...? what options do you have? i understand that sales takes up a large portion of the possible jobs after graduating with a GG, but what are my other options? is working in a lab or as an appraiser a highly competitive field? i was looking on careerbuilder and monster and they both turned up blank for nyc. any thoughts?
 
Is it true that GIA closed down their Los Angeles school?
 
Date: 1/15/2009 12:10:01 AM
Author: waitingpatiently
i''ve been trying to google around for information, but seem to coming up rather bland...


what does the career outlook look like...? what options do you have? i understand that sales takes up a large portion of the possible jobs after graduating with a GG, but what are my other options? is working in a lab or as an appraiser a highly competitive field? i was looking on careerbuilder and monster and they both turned up blank for nyc. any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Gia.edu has job listings. I am interested in becoming an appraiser and was doing research about the job availability. Most of the jobs listed were in sales, and there were a few jewelry stores/chains that were hiring appraisers/buyers.
 
A degree in gemology, no matter where it comes from does not make you qualified to be an appraiser. You simply MUST have practical experience, and quite a bit of it, and you must have appraisal training. For the vast majority of people, the first step towards that practical experience is on the sales floor in a retail environment although there other paths including manufacturing, auction and others.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
Date: 1/15/2009 9:53:55 AM
Author: denverappraiser
A degree in gemology, no matter where it comes from does not make you qualified to be an appraiser. You simply MUST have practical experience, and quite a bit of it, and you must have appraisal training. For the vast majority of people, the first step towards that practical experience is on the sales floor in a retail environment although there other paths including manufacturing, auction and others.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
Click to expand...
Again neil is right...hands on is a must....but be careful who you allow to train and mentor you...as we know few retailers have people that can train correctly.
 
Date: 1/15/2009 9:53:55 AM
Author: denverappraiser
A degree in gemology, no matter where it comes from does not make you qualified to be an appraiser. You simply MUST have practical experience, and quite a bit of it, and you must have appraisal training. For the vast majority of people, the first step towards that practical experience is on the sales floor in a retail environment although there other paths including manufacturing, auction and others.


Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver
Click to expand...

Could you explain why retail experience is important? And also elaborate on possible "other" paths?
 
What is required is experience, not necessarily ‘retail’ experience, although since most appraisals are a description of a theoretical retail experience, this the most obvious way to get good at it. You cannot sensibly evaluate jewelry (or anything else for that matter) without quite a bit of exposure to it. You can go through the entire GIA-GG program seeing only a few dozen gemstones in the entire time and without ever looking at a single piece of jewelry. There’s plenty to be learned there but this does NOT make you an expert in jewelry, much less the jewelry market. What does that is practice and lots of it. They don’t teach valuation theory at all. They don’t teach anything at all about the legal environment surrounding the industry. They teach nothing about writing a decent and useful report. Where you get that is appraisal training. A gemologist is not an appraiser although an appraiser (at least a jewelry appraiser) needs to be a gemologist.

Jewelry appraisers come from a variety of backgrounds and we all bring different experience sets to the table. We all have GG’s (or International equivalents like FGA’s) but we also all have high school diplomas. Yippie. A GG is the beginning of the training, not the end. Where then do you go to get the rest? Some comes from the appraisal societies, like ASA and NAJA and I highly recommend both programs but a huge amount comes from experience. Again, we all have different experiences including doing time in manufacturing, auction, retail, management, mining, wholesale and many others but for almost everyone, the first step on the path is doing some time on the retail sales floor. This gives you the opportunity to see a lot of merchandise, it gives you exposure to what your customers like and dislike about various things, it gives you the opportunity meet and hobnob with others in the trade including both your coworkers and your suppliers. It gives you the chance to see how the pricing structures work, not just in your own store but if you’re paying attention you learn some things about your suppliers and your competitors as well. All that and they PAY you to do it! How cool is that?

I don’t know a single capable appraiser who has less than 5-10 years of full time relevant experience above and beyond their GG and I can’t think of any where that list of experience doesn’t include putting in some significant time at retail sales. Almost all include retail management as well by the way. It’s where the proverbial rubber hits the road and it’s a significant piece of where ‘value’ happens. There are other routes but this is by far the easiest one to get employed in without prior experience and then build from there.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ICGA(AGS) NAJA
Professional Appraisals in Denver
 
I just finished my GG in Carlsbad in August of 07. I also live in Jacksonville if you have any questions. I would be glad to help.
 
Date: 1/19/2009 11:13:57 AM
Author: JaxBradGG
I just finished my GG in Carlsbad in August of 07. I also live in Jacksonville if you have any questions. I would be glad to help.
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Brad,
congrates on the new GG!
 
I second the idea of doing a stint in manufacturing if possible.

I worked for several years for a major mass-market jewellery manufacturer with 5 separate factories each specialising in a different form of manufacture.

Although I was mainly employed as their designer/stone buyer, I spent a lot of time in the factories learning how and what is possible - much easier to design things if you know the technical limitations.

I also managed to get my diamond dealers in Antwerp to take me round their cutting rooms - truly fascinating.

If you ever get a chance to do either, take it as you learn so much.
 
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