GCS

Graduate Colored Stones Online Diploma

Students explore more than 60 species of common and collector gemstones found in the marketplace. Subjects covered include the GIA Colored Stone Grading System, gemstone formation, composition, sources and how to distinguish natural, treated and laboratory-grown gemstones.

What You'll Learn

  • Build a knowledge base about colored stones and the colored stone market
  • Use gemological equipment effectively to identify gemstones
  • Use the GIA Colored Stone Grading System to evaluate gemstone quality
  • Recognize how quality, rarity and color affect value
  • Determine how market factors affect gem value
  • Understand how gems are mined, fashioned and brought to the marketplace

Possible Career Paths

  • Colored Stone Grader
  • Colored Stone Assorter
  • Appraiser
  • Auction House Jewelry Specialist
  • Colored Stone Buyer
  • Estate Jewelry Dealer
  • Jewelry Business Owner
  • Jewelry Buyer
  • Jewelry Sales Professional
  • Pawnbroker
  • Retailer
  • Wholesaler
View Popular Career Paths

Topics Covered

Here are some of the topics covered in the Graduate Colored Stones online diploma coursework

PE_GGP_TopicsCovered-ColoredStones-132x74 COLORED STONES & COLORED STONE GRADING

Learn the characteristics of colored stones, with a focus on ruby, sapphire, and emerald.

PE_GGP_TopicsCovered-GemID-132x74 GEM IDENTIFICATION

Identify more than 60 species of gemstones, distinguish natural from laboratory-grown gems, and detect gem treatments.

PE_GGP_TopicsCovered-Equipment-132x74 EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTATION

Learn colored stone identification skills GIA graders use.

PE_GGP_TopicsCovered-Treatment-132x74 TREATMENTS, LABORATORY-GROWN & IMITATIONS

Identify gemstones that have been laboratory-grown, treated or are imitations.

PE_GGP_TopicsCovered-Markets-132x74 MARKETS & SUPPLY CHAINS

Understand how market factors and the supply chain affect value.

GET STARTED

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How to Earn the Graduate Colored Stones Online Diploma

Enroll and complete three online courses and two lab classes.

We recommend this sequence to maximize your comprehension of key concepts and course objectives:

GEM 120 – Colored Stone Essentials Online Course

GEM 220 – Colored Stones Online Course

GEM 220L – Colored Stone Grading Lab Class

GEM 240L – Gem Identification Lab

GEM 240 – Gem Identification Online Course


Select a course or lab class above to learn more and apply

View the Online Diploma Requirements Chart

Learn about Online Education