Jewelry Appraisal CenterGIA or ISG or neither?
Question: Hello, I always had an interest in gems and in the back of my mind, I always wanted to go to GIA to become a gemologist.
$199.96 USD
I would like to work with stones, matching up with color and clarity to be set in jewelry but I don't want to manufacture jewelry. I am more interested in the quality side if that makes sense.
My question to you is, what type of job is this called?
Does it make sense to become a gemologist?
I am not exactly sure what a gemologist does other than studing gems. Also, I have read about a school called International school of gemology (ISG). It's suppose to way cheaper than GIA because it's completely online but they do send you a gemlab.
I read about it on yourgemologist.com that it's suppose to be easier to learn than GIA and they are also a member of the Better business bureau. http://schoolofgemology.com/ (that's their website).
Does it make sense to go to school to become a gemologist?
How hard is it to get a job out of this?
I work full time so it's easier for me to take an online course. GIA does offer distance education but I do have to go into NY for some tests. This would be difficult for me even though I live in NJ.
thank you for any advice, thoughts, opinions you can provide.
Answer: G'day Ann and many thanks for your query
You need to step back a little and get some more information before you make any decisions which would not only cost you money - but a whole lot of time and effort too.
Gemologists are employed throughout the industry.
For example, I recently visited a diamond mine - where gemologists were doing the grading of diamonds.
Personally I have worked in the retail trade as a gemologist/valuer - doing appraisals for individual clients. But I have also worked in a Lab doing Appraisals and Gem Lab Reports for other jewelers.
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I have friends who work in Antique Jewelry, both at Auction Houses and in Stores while another of my long time associates works for a gem merchant.
There are HUNDREDS of jobs for Gemologists especially once qualified because they go on to become Valuers or Diamond Graders and so on...
Heck - I even make my living writing about it 
But you have to start with the end in mind.
The GIA is the world authority - it's the very best - and the HARDEST and longest and costliest.
Many students of mine, when I taught in our local University, started work as a jeweler's assistant in the Local High Street Mall - yet went on to become Gemologist's and Valuers.
One other friend simply loved 'Cutting' Opal and has become a major figure in Lapidary circles.
Remember the Wizard of Oz? Follow the Yellow Brick Road because that is where you start.
Grab a bunch of books - we even have a Valuation Appraisal Home Study Course written in Laymens language for less than $50 bucks. It explains just what goes into an appraisal WITHOUT getting too deep. It's a great first step.
Then - and only when you are convinced - go forward.
When I learned my profession I had to drive 100 miles, three nights a week for 5 years to my nearest capital city. You have to have the passion - or just go work at the local jewelry shop.
You may find the cheaper ONLINE course will set you up first BUT might lead you on to the GIA course later. Nothing says you can't end up doing both.
As a Valuer we NEVER stop learning and each year are required to undergo several seminars and courses just to keep up - so don't think for one minute this is a five year apprenticeship and that's it - it's all done - 'Cause it ain't!
The Practical side of gemology is as important as the theory.
You might also like to add this query to jewelry Forum at http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.net/jewelry-forum/ as other may have had a similar problem. Can't hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.
Hope this helps, but remember the future of the industry lies with computers and automation - that's why our Jewelry Appraisals Online Software was developed in the first place.
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Thank you very much! I think GIA would be the better choice like you suggested.
The cheaper school that is online (ISG) that I told you about, well, I decided not to look into that.
The person who runs the school is very unprofessional, nasty and rude.
I read his posts on 2 forums where he had fights with people and my friend sent him an email asking if he was accredited (on my behalf because my computer email wasn’t cooperating) and he was very rude to her.
He said to my friend that question was ludicrous and that there was no such thing as accreditation and a few other rude things he said that raised a huge red flag for me to avoid that school.
I couldn’t believe how rude he was!
I read the email and there was nothing wrong with what she asked.
Anyway, I really appreciated the advice you gave me. I will check out the book you suggested and I will also check out your blog. thank you so much!!
I’m a graduate of the ISG and I can tell you right now that what he said is true to a point, there is no accreditation when it comes to gemology only certifacations like any other trade. And as far as the guy that runs it you proboly just caught him on a bad day and he is GIA certified as well as others. However the course its self is very well put together and there is alot of great information to learn from as well as infomtion that the GIA doesn’t teach. But hey to each thier own and I’m sure if I had your expiernce with Robert at the ISG I would be saying the same thing.
My wife took the ISG course and had many dealings with Robert. I could care less about jewelry but I found myself watching the videos and found them very interesting (as long as football was not on).
I heard my wife on the phone on several occasions discussing the tests and labs with Robert, from what I overheard (and knowing my wife) the man has the patiences of a saint, just my two cents. I think that he had a bad day….
From my perspective, if you think that you are interested in trying something new and you have a relatively cheap way of getting involved and can work on your own schedule (thru videos at home), why would you not start out that way???