Gemstone Identification Training?

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kjsspot
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Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by kjsspot »

Hey y'all,

I know you can get GIA certified online from GIA itself. But I remember someone posting a full gemstone course online somewhere but I forgot to back up my favorites so I lost the link. I'm not finding it when I search. Does anyone remember where it is?

If not, any recommendations on ID training that won't cost me thousands?

Thanks!
~KJ~
Mysterious opals contain the wonders of the skies - sparkling rainbows, fireworks, and lightning, shifting and moving in their depths.
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Lydia
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by Lydia »

I think this may be what you are thinking of -
https://www.schoolofgemology.com/
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PinkDiamond
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by PinkDiamond »

Absolutely! That's the International School of Gemology, my alma mater. You won't go broke and will have a fine education at a reasonable price. I just got the gemology degree, and since I graduated the insurance industry has given its approval to their appraisal courses, so you can get the gemologist appraiser degree if you think you might want to get into that, for not a whole lot more. :!:

So do check them out, and tell Robert James, the founder, that we sent you; I'm still Crystal Star over there, but RJ and a few others are members here, so he knows me as PinkDiamond, too. If you sign up you'll be able to take advantage of the weekly teaching chats every Tuesday night from 8 to 9pm central, which will be starting up again this week. Keep us posted on what you do! :D
PinkDiamond
ISG Registered Gemologist


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mick
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by mick »

Heres a tip that wont cost you a cent.

Put aside 3 hours each week. Go and visit shops and dealers and wholesalers and amateurs and collectors and look at what you see.
Keep notes. In 6 months, you will have seen in your hand more than most people see in a lifetime. The next 6 months, use that info to
see into better collections using your new knowledge and contacts gained. make up a business card, swap it around.

Now after 12 months, you will have somethig to offer if you want a job somewhere. 12 months worth of contacts, prices, info. You are now a very marketable commodity who may attract funding for schooling from an enthusiastic employer.

Why pay for training when your boss can? Just my two bobs worth. Contcts, in any pursuit in life are shortcuts to your goal.

Worst case, a part time job in Gems that will pay for your course should be your aim.
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SwordfishMining
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by SwordfishMining »

I am a fanboy of the ISG. Someday to be a graduate.
I'll jump over my shadow. https://www.virginvalleyopal.com"
Opals & more at my ESTY store https://swordfishmining.etsy.com"
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kjsspot
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by kjsspot »

That would be great but that's not my end goal. I have a fantastic job that I won't be giving up so I'm not looking for a career path. I just want to feed my art. And to do so, I need to know how to ID things. Not just visually but scientifically. I'm a bit of a geek and I want to understand the behind the scenes things as well. Plus, not many dealers out here. There is a club but I haven't signed up yet. They don't meet over the summer. Once we get settled they should start back up and I'll go check them out. But rock shops? Only one I see is an energy/chi type of place.

However, the ISG is probably still a bit steep for me at this point. Most of my $$ is going into my home purchase and move. A full course there is still a few thousand.

I thought I saw somewhere someone had posted a gemology course for free download that you could walk through at your own pace? It was similar to the Ganoskin site for jewelers but instead it was for gemology.
~KJ~
Mysterious opals contain the wonders of the skies - sparkling rainbows, fireworks, and lightning, shifting and moving in their depths.
ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KJOFineArt
Website: http://www.kjmontoya.com
mick
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by mick »

All I can say is beware of online courses, they can be as dodgy as anything online.

If you are going to spend money, it has to be on industry recognised learning, no good if people think its a rubbish course.

Keep an eye out for old textbooks the dusty 500 page ones, the type they dont make anymore. Google scholar does not have much gemmology.

Anything after the invention of the microscope is good.
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kjsspot
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Re: Gemstone Identification Training?

Post by kjsspot »

I'll keep looking for now. :)
~KJ~
Mysterious opals contain the wonders of the skies - sparkling rainbows, fireworks, and lightning, shifting and moving in their depths.
ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KJOFineArt
Website: http://www.kjmontoya.com
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