Graduate Gemologist® Online Diploma
The GIA Graduate Gemologist® online diploma coursework delivers a comprehensive gemology education on diamonds and colored stones. Using the latest gemological equipment, students work with real diamonds and gemstones under the trained eyes of GIA instructors. Through extensive lab work, students practice identifying and grading diamonds and colored stones in an efficient, accurate and consistent manner.
What You'll Learn
- Develop in-depth, hands-on experience with the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ and the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut and carat weight)
- Grade diamonds in the D-to-Z color range
- 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
- Identify gemstone characteristics, simulants and treatments, laboratory-grown gemstones and recognize when advanced testing is required
- Understand how gems are mined, fashioned and brought to the marketplace
- Recognize how quality, rarity and color affect value
- Determine how market factors affect gem value
Possible Career Paths
- Appraiser
- Auction House Jewelry Specialist
- Colored Stone Buyer
- Diamond Buyer
- Diamond Sorter/Grader
- Estate Jewelry Dealer
- Gemologist
- Inventory Control Specialist
- Jewelry Business Owner
- Jewelry Buyer
- Jewelry Sales Professional
- Lab and Research Professional
- Merchandiser
- Pawnbroker
- Retailer
- Sales Associate
- Wholesaler
Topics Covered
Here are some of the topics covered in the Graduate Gemologist® online diploma coursework
DIAMONDS & DIAMOND GRADING
Judge and grade diamonds by the 4Cs and color.
COLORED STONES & COLORED STONE GRADING
Learn the characteristics of colored stones, with a focus on ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
GEM IDENTIFICATION
Identify more than 60 species of gemstones, distinguish natural from laboratory-grown gems, and detect gem treatments.
EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTATION
Learn diamond identification and grading skills GIA graders use.
TREATMENTS, LABORATORY-GROWN & IMITATIONS
Identify gemstones that have been laboratory-grown, treated or are imitations.
MARKETS & SUPPLY CHAINS
Understand how market factors and the supply chain affect value.
GET STARTED
How to Earn the Graduate Gemologist® Online Diploma
Enroll and complete five online courses and three lab classes.
We recommend this sequence to maximize your comprehension of key concepts and course objectives:
GEM 130 – Diamond Essentials Online Course
GEM 230 – Diamonds & Diamond Grading Online Course
GEM 230L – Diamond Grading Lab Class
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
