Experience GIAeLearning

Jewelry Essentials

This course examines jewellery’s important features and how they are combined to give a piece its unique value. Topics include the unique qualities of precious metals, how to describe these features to customers, as well as how to identify jewellery types and styles using industry terms. Coursework will cover how different jewellery manufacturing methods affect style, appearance and durability. Plus, learn how precious metals are regulated, marketed and tested, and the key components of a compelling product presentation to our customer.

Ideal for: Retail professionals and others interested in working in the gem and jewellery industry, jewellery connoisseurs and buyers. This course is required to earn the GIA Applied Jewelry Professional diploma via GIA Distance Education.

Colored Stone Essentials

This course provides fundamental knowledge of coloured stones with an in-depth focus on the “Big Three” of the gemstone world: ruby, sapphire and emerald. Subjects include the language of coloured stones, colour’s important role in gemstone value and the unique characteristics of popular coloured stones, as well as how colour, clarity, cut and carat weight affect a gem’s value. 

Ideal For: Retail professionals and others interested in working in the gem and jewellery industry, coloured gemstone connoisseurs and jewellery buyers. This course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Colored Stones or Applied Jewelry Professional diplomas via GIA Distance Education.

Diamond Essentials

Learn how to describe diamond jewellery accurately for effective and professional sales conversations with customers. Key topics include the internationally accepted GIA clarity grading system, how diamonds are graded for colour and how colour affects value. Coursework includes how modern technology is changing the way diamonds are cut, the relationship between size and weight, and how retail jewellery stores operate.

Ideal for: Retail professionals and others interested in working in the gem and jewellery industry, diamond connoisseurs and diamond jewellery buyers. This course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Diamonds or Applied Jewelry Professional diplomas via GIA Distance Education.

Pearls

This course examines how to buy and sell akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater pearls with insight and skill, and GIA’s 7 Pearl Value Factors™: size, shape, colour, lustre, surface quality, nacre quality and matching. You will be taught the difference between natural and cultured pearls, postharvest treatments, imitation pearls and pearl testing. 

Ideal for: Retail professionals and others working in the gem and jewellery industry, pearl connoisseurs and pearl jewellery buyers. Combine with the GIA Pearl Grading Lab class to put these techniques into practice with actual pearls and grading instruments. This course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Pearls diploma via GIA Distance Education.

Colored Stones

This course builds on what is taught in Colored Stone Essentials and provides an in-depth look at the multitude of coloured stones sold in today’s market. Topics include which gems are commercially important and why, the differences in gem values and shifting supply patterns and how these factors affect gem prices and availability. 

Ideal for: Gem and jewellery industry professionals who want to improve their coloured stone grading skills and knowledge, coloured gemstone connoisseurs and jewellery buyers. Combine with the GIA Colored Stone Lab class to put these techniques into practice with a variety of gemstones and gemmological instruments. The course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Gemologist or Graduate Colored Stones diploma via GIA Distance Education.

Diamonds & Diamond Grading

This course builds on what is taught in Diamond Essentials and covers the skills needed to grade the colour, clarity and cut of diamonds. Subjects explored include determining proportions and estimating weight, the fundamentals of laboratory-grown diamond, treatments, and simulants and the effect of fluorescence on diamond body colour. Other topics discussed include the role cut plays in the marketplace, the technical knowledge needed to make effective buying and selling decisions, and other segments of the diamond industry – dealing, cutting and manufacturing.

Ideal for: Gem and jewellery industry professionals wanting to improve their diamond grading skills and knowledge, diamond connoisseurs and diamond jewellery buyers. Combine with the GIA Diamond Grading Lab class to put these techniques into practice with actual diamonds and gemmological instruments. The course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Gemologist or Graduate Diamonds diploma via GIA Distance Education.

Gem Identification

Practice identifying more than 60 species of gemstones, distinguishing natural from laboratory-grown gems and detecting gem treatments. You will carry out testing procedures and techniques on sets of practice stones. Additionally, the course covers how – and when – to use gemmological laboratory services and how to use gem identification skills to protect your business from costly mistakes.

Ideal for: Retail professionals and others, such as gem buyers, in the gem and jewellery industry who are interested in working with coloured gemstones. The course is required to earn the GIA Graduate Gemologist or Graduate Colored Stones diploma via GIA Distance Education.