School and Education - any ideas or tip?

[Rainbow_]

Hi.

From January 2012 I'm goint to start studying at GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
My question is, and it's a really serious one;
Should I educate as "Graduate Gemologist" (Educated in both D-Z diamonds & also gemstones).
or.......
should I educate as "Graduate Diamonds" (educated in only D-Z diamonds)?

What is the smartest thing to do?
As I've heard, people would send their diamonds to GIA but their Gemstones to AGL - this make my education choice even harder!

So I just wonder if I should educate in Diamonds at GIA and educate in Gemstones at AGL?
Does this sound reasonable? I do only want the best of the best, because I have to pay for it myself anyway.

I suppose I'd like to work at a Auction House, or in a Store maybe.
I dont think I'd like to work at a Lab...

"You dont need this education!"
- No, maybe not, but I really want it anyway!

I appreciate all answers, thank you!

 

[Pandora II]

GIA is a school and a lab, AGL is a lab - they don't teach.

I've just completed the FGA with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain which although covering diamonds in detail is more coloured-stone orientated. They have a separate DGA which specialises in diamonds.

I'm not interested in diamonds beyond what I learnt in the FGA and I have no interest in becoming a diamond grader so I'm not planning on studying for the DGA.

If you are really only interested in coloured stones, you might be better doing the distance version of the FGA which is as prestigious as the GG.

However, the FGA is more science-heavy and doesn't cover anything regarding retail or selling stones, so if you would like to work in a store you would probably be better advised to study with GIA.

If you are going to study with GIA then you would be best to do both parts and get the GG. Jobs in the industry are extremely competitive and you would be up against people with the GG so only having half would make things much harder. Plus diamonds are the bread-and-butter for most retailers and coloured stones a bit of a niche area so merely having coloured stones would possibly be less attractive than just having diamonds.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[TonyMontana]

Get a G.G. Its the worldwide most recognized gemoligical diploma.

 

[Rainbow_]

GIA is a school and a lab, AGL is a lab - they don't teach.

I've just completed the FGA with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain which although covering diamonds in detail is more coloured-stone orientated. They have a separate DGA which specialises in diamonds.

I'm not interested in diamonds beyond what I learnt in the FGA and I have no interest in becoming a diamond grader so I'm not planning on studying for the DGA.

If you are really only interested in coloured stones, you might be better doing the distance version of the FGA which is as prestigious as the GG.

However, the FGA is more science-heavy and doesn't cover anything regarding retail or selling stones, so if you would like to work in a store you would probably be better advised to study with GIA.

If you are going to study with GIA then you would be best to do both parts and get the GG. Jobs in the industry are extremely competitive and you would be up against people with the GG so only having half would make things much harder. Plus diamonds are the bread-and-butter for most retailers and coloured stones a bit of a niche area so merely having coloured stones would possibly be less attractive than just having diamonds.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you for your helpful answer, helped a lot!
I contacted AGL today because I didn't understand how to educate as a "AGL Grader", but no wonder - you explained it just perfect!

Then I'll go with this at GIA - starting at the top;
Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP)
Graduate Gemologist (GG)
Graduate Pearls (GP)

I've also been thinking a bit about getting a "Graduate Jeweler (GJ)" - but at this point I do not feel like this is necessary.
But suppose I have couple of years thinking about it anyway.

Thanks for all replies!

 

[Pandora II]

Get a G.G. Its the worldwide most recognized gemoligical diploma.

In America perhaps - in Europe, and certainly in Asia the FGA is just as well known, and I believe that the OP is based in Europe.

 

[Rainbow_]

GIA is a school and a lab, AGL is a lab - they don't teach.

I've just completed the FGA with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain which although covering diamonds in detail is more coloured-stone orientated. They have a separate DGA which specialises in diamonds.

I'm not interested in diamonds beyond what I learnt in the FGA and I have no interest in becoming a diamond grader so I'm not planning on studying for the DGA.

If you are really only interested in coloured stones, you might be better doing the distance version of the FGA which is as prestigious as the GG.

However, the FGA is more science-heavy and doesn't cover anything regarding retail or selling stones, so if you would like to work in a store you would probably be better advised to study with GIA.

If you are going to study with GIA then you would be best to do both parts and get the GG. Jobs in the industry are extremely competitive and you would be up against people with the GG so only having half would make things much harder. Plus diamonds are the bread-and-butter for most retailers and coloured stones a bit of a niche area so merely having coloured stones would possibly be less attractive than just having diamonds.

Hope that helps a bit.

I got the most akward answer from AGL today I think...
As I wroted earlier, I sent a email to AGL asking them for education etc.

And I got this answer from them;
"Unfortunately we do not have an education dept and don’t offer courses. This is something we are hoping to offer in the future. GIA does offer the colored stones course and that is the best you can get here in the US. I would reach out to their education dept. We all here got our education for the GIA."

Does this actually means that it does not matter wether sending gemstones to GIA or AGL whatsover?
They certainly got the same education anyway.
Or is there a difference in equipment maybe?

 

[LD]

Get a G.G. Its the worldwide most recognized gemoligical diploma.

In America perhaps - in Europe, and certainly in Asia the FGA is just as well known, and I believe that the OP is based in Europe.

+1

 

[gongli]

i would guess that gia's educational dept is somewhat separate from its lab, and that although everyone at agl got their initial education at gia, their practice over time is also important. so i think gia focuses on diamonds whereas agl more on colored stones, so the agl graders may have, over the course of their careers after their gia education, developed different experience and skill from gia graders. education is important, but it is only a starting point of a career.

 

[Lee Little]

Regardless of what letters of the alphabet you have after your name, your name will be your most powerful tool. By what ever method, learn to be exceptionally helpful in identifying gems and be exceptionally precise in grading gems. Good luck, Lee