GIA gemology certification..

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MegsVC

MegsVC

O.G.
Sep 15, 2012
429
1
#1
Hi all,

This is more of a career related question, but it relates to diamonds, so I thought the Ladies in the jewelry forum might have more insight for me..

I have worked in the veterinary field for years, and love it. but feel like it's time for a change.
I recently started school again doing a business program, its going well, but I'm not sure I love it.. I'm also not sure really where I'm going with it.. I'd love to one day own my own business, but what that would be, I don't really know...
Now I'm toying with the idea of switching programs at school, finding something I really love. Not just that I'm good at.

I've always had an eye for fine jewelry, and I've made it a hobby to educate myself on diamonds, but are the GIA gemology courses any good? Particularly doing it through distance, as I am in Canada.
Is the program well respected?
Does it even open any doors? Is it something that employers like to see on a resume or is something like sales experience more important to get your foot in the door in the industry?

I know for instance in the veterinary industry where I am, there is a private collage that offers 'veterinary assistant' courses, which is an obscene amount of money, and doing nothing to prepare you for what it's really like. It's a money grab, and most clinics I've worked at make it a point to not hire grads of the program, because it's much easier to train, then re-train someone.

I don't want to waste my education money on something thats not going to be usable, but I really want to find a career that I love...

If anyone has gone through/knows about the program, or works/worked in the industry I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks.
 
#3
There are plenty of great distance paths through them, yes. The lab classes aren't all distance, though. Here's a list of what they have:
http://www.gia.edu/gia-courses-offered

You can start with the Accredited Jewelry Professional, which will get you the basics, and would allow you to work as a salesperson in a jewelry store and give you a lot of hands on in the field, you could then pursue your Graduate Diamonds at least while you worked in the field. It's my understanding most jewelers, even chain, won't hire you without an AJP. The employer still might indoctrinate you with other BS that's not accurate, but it's a start.

Or if you really want to put the time and money into it, you can get your Graduate Gemologist, which is what I did. That teaches you diamonds and gemstones, and with that you can do a lot in the industry.That is I think kind of half and half, distance and lab. I THINK they bring labs around the country now though, so you can travel a shorter distance for those. You get a lot of time to complete the work in the distance classes though.

If you want to learn how to craft pieces there are separate design/cad/crafting programs, those I don't believe are distance though.

I have no plans to work within the industry though, nor have I ever. I just like to know everything there is to know about the things I am interested in, and DH likes to indulge that :)
 
#4
Since this is something I've looked into myself, I may be able to answer some questions. The GIA courses are well respected and a GG is almost a necessity for many jobs. However, it is not inexpensive and it may take a year or two to do it long distance since you have to do labs at scheduled places and times. I think this year they were at New York, Carlsbad, and Las Vegas. There is also a lot of competition for very few jobs and the pay scale is not very good for most of them. Many people in the GG courses that got jobs after completing the courses used the GIA alumni feature to go to local get togethers to network and meet jewelers. I think you need to decide what aspect of jewelry you'd like to get into and then decide if it's worth it. You could go ahead and get the jewelry professional certificate which looks pretty simple and basic and doesn't cost much to see if long distance education is something you'd like. I don't really think this certificate personally would teach me anything I didn't already know, but if I wanted to get a retail job in jewelry-it might show I was serious about the jewelry industry. Are you flexible with moving for a job? If not, look around your area and see if there's someplace you'd want to work and then talk with some of the people who work there to see what requirements they needed. I've put courses on hold after looking into it, but may still take them just for my own interest- much the same as ame did.
 
#5
I take online GIA courses. I've been a student for a few years now. I work at my own pace and take classes here and there when I can fit it into my schedule amongst work and other life commitments. I originally decided to enroll as I have been studying gemstones on my own since I was in middle school. I started collecting fine jewelry after not long after. Jewelry is a big part of my life just on personal level. I may or may not ever work in the jewelry industry with the exception of independent appraisals should I choose to do them but I do thoroughly enjoy the classes and would highly recommend GIA to anyone with interest in gemology especially one looking to make a career in the jewelry industry. I have two more courses to complete online and then will travel to attend lab classes.
 
#7
I have my GIA GG degree, which I am very proud of, but honestly do not need to use in my career. I started the distance classes in my mid-20's when I realized that I didn't want to continue on the accounting CPA path I was going. It took my 5 years to complete the GG distance program bc of having to take time off for the labs and final exam took me 4 times to pass, (had to get a perfect score to pass!) by the time I finished, I had 2 children (I now have 4 kids) and no desire to commute to NYC for a gemology job. I worked part time in jewelry retail for a few months, but it was very boring and uninspiring to me. I love high end/ rare gemstones and jewelry, and still love to admire them, but that career path was not practical for me and my family situation. GIA is very respected and you'll learn a lot. I'm glad I do have the education tho, and I still have a passion for gems and jewelry.
 
#8
MegsVC said:
Hi all,

This is more of a career related question, but it relates to diamonds, so I thought the Ladies in the jewelry forum might have more insight for me..

I have worked in the veterinary field for years, and love it. but feel like it's time for a change.
I recently started school again doing a business program, its going well, but I'm not sure I love it.. I'm also not sure really where I'm going with it.. I'd love to one day own my own business, but what that would be, I don't really know...
Now I'm toying with the idea of switching programs at school, finding something I really love. Not just that I'm good at.

I've always had an eye for fine jewelry, and I've made it a hobby to educate myself on diamonds, but are the GIA gemology courses any good? Particularly doing it through distance, as I am in Canada.
Is the program well respected?
Does it even open any doors? Is it something that employers like to see on a resume or is something like sales experience more important to get your foot in the door in the industry?

I know for instance in the veterinary industry where I am, there is a private collage that offers 'veterinary assistant' courses, which is an obscene amount of money, and doing nothing to prepare you for what it's really like. It's a money grab, and most clinics I've worked at make it a point to not hire grads of the program, because it's much easier to train, then re-train someone.

I don't want to waste my education money on something thats not going to be usable, but I really want to find a career that I love...

If anyone has gone through/knows about the program, or works/worked in the industry I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks.
Click to expand...
I am not commenting to disagree with any of the replies, but I know plenty of folks who have worked in a retail jewelry store with no gem education. Just the same as other retail sales jobs. I think the gia course would get you a little higher up in the store organization.
 
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