S. Vishnu Sharma
Gemology course is for those who wish to carve a career in the field involved in identification and analysis of precious stones.
This sector is also among those that offers highly rewarding careers to those who venture into it with passion.
About the Gemology course
Gemology-course is all about finding the precious gems, analysing their genuineness, distinguishing between artificial and natural gems.
The course also explains how the diamonds can be made ready for industry once they are detected and teaches how to maintain the precious stones to ensure they retain their value for a very long time.
Who is a gemologist?
Gemologist is he who studies Gemology course and also takes it up as a profession later on.
All those who study Gemology course need not be a gemologist. For not all who study Gemology course take Gemology as a profession.
Though one may study gemology course, gaining expertise in the profession is possible only through hard work over the years.
The course
Gemology course is offered at graduate, post graduate and diploma levels. Also, certain institutes offer certificate courses in Gemology.
Certificate
$ Certificate course in International system of Diamond Grading
$ Certificate course in Planning & Marketing
$ Certificate course in Coloured Gemstone Cutting & Polishing
$ Certificate course in Grading, Cutting, Polishing, Bruiting
$ Courses in Jewellery Design & Machine Cast Jewellery
$ Certificate course in Hard Shape Grooving
Diploma
$ Diploma in Diamond Processing
$ Diploma in Diamond Trade Management
$ Diploma in Gemology
Bachelors course
$ Bachelors of Fine Arts in Jewellery design
Masters course
$ Masters degree in Fine Arts in Jewellery design
$ Post Graduate Diploma in Diamond Technology
Specialisation
Individuals who have decided to study gemology course can also choose to specialise in many fields associated with the course.
Some of the specialisations in Gemology course are given below:
$ Jewelry Designing
$ Gem Grinding
$ Gem Engraving
$ Gem Polishing
$ Gem Assortment
$ Jewelry Setter
$ Gem Research
Eligibility
Individuals who are willing to study Gemology course must have a passion for the subject in the first place.
Needless to say, passion inspires people to reach greater heights in the chosen field.
Other than passion, individuals willing to study Gemology course at graduation level must be a pass in 12th standard.
For study of Gemology course at postgraduation level, aspirants must pass bachelors degree.
Certificate and diploma courses in Gemology may not have any specific eligibility criteria.
Point to remember
Eligibility criteria and admission process may vary from one institution to another.
Applicants for Gemology course are advised to visit the website of the college offering the course or the campus in person for greater clarity regarding eligibility criteria.
Colleges
There are many colleges offering Gemology course and some of the most popular ones are given below:
$ National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
$ Indian Institute of Gemmology, New Delhi
$ Arch Gemology & Jewelry Institute, Jaipur
$ Gemstones Artisans Training School, Jaipur
$ Xavier’s College, Mumbai
$ Indian Institute of Gemology, New Delhi
$ Sidhar Institute of Gemology, Andhra Pradesh
$ SRDC Diamond Institute, Mumbai
Course fees
Study of Gemology course will require paying a annual fee ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 7,00,000.
There are many institutions that charge quite economically for offering Gemology course.
The syllabus
What does one learn in Gemology course? The lessons are mentioned below:
$ Introduction of Gems
$ Optical Properties of Gems
$ Occurrences of Instruments
$ Physical Properties of Gem
$ Crystallography of Gemstones
$ Stimulants of Gem
$ Quality of Gem
$ Chemical Composition
$ Identification of Gem
$ Treatment of Gem
$ Handling of Instruments
$ Species of Gem
$ Mining of Gem
$ Marketing of Gem
$ Synthetic Gem and Identification
$ Applications in Gemology
$ Gem Cutting
$ Individual stones & their stimulants
$ Imitation gemstones & plastics
$ Fashioning of Gemstones
$ Optics, Light and Colour
$ Basic knowledge of Techniques employed in
$ Gemological Laboratories
$ Nature of crystals
$ Inclusions in the Most Important Gemstones
Point to remember
The lessons mentioned above regarding Gemology course are quite general in nature.
The syllabus may change from one institute to another.
Students can refer the portions as suggested by their faculty of the institute where they join the course.
Admission process
Colleges may admit students into Gemology course based on the marks in the candidate’s qualifying exam.
However, certain institutions may be admitting students based on tests, interviews which are specific to the college or the department offering Gemology course.
Age limit
The minimum age limit to pursue Gemology course is atleast 18 years.
There is no upper age limit to pursue Gemology course.
Career and pay prospects
Astrology is a thriving profession in India which gives most business to business of gems and precious stones.
Many buy diamonds or precious stones and stud them into rings of gold or silver and wear them to remove ill-effects as per astrological advice.
This gives Gemology much business. Also wearing rings studded with precious stones and semi-precious stones too is a fashion which also adds business to Gemology.
Needless to say, these sales and purchases of gems for astrological reasons or fashion reasons creates the need for professional gemologists.
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So many business houses pay well to hire professional gemologists to sustain business and that is why studying gemology course has rich dividends.
If one establishes themselves as a professional gemologist post study of Gemology course, the earning can start from Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakhs per year.
An experienced Gemologist can derive a salary of Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakhs per year.
Who will recruit you?
Candidates who study Gemology course can find jobs in gem testing laboratories, mining, jewellery business management, retail jewellery stores.
Jewelry Manufacturing or Product Development departments, Art Auction Houses, Jewelry Designers, Gem Exporting Companies will also offer jobs to candidates who studied Gemology.
Job profiles
Individuals who studied Gemology can find jobs as:
$ Gem grinders
$ Gem polishers
$ Gem assorters
$ Engravers
$ Jewellery setters
$ Researchers
$ Gemologist
$ Diamond Grader
Books for Gemology
Individuals willing to have greater knowledge in Gemology can read these books along with the regular text books associated with the course.
The list of popular books for Gemology are given below:
$ Gemstones of the World (Revised and Expanded Edition) by Walter Schumann
$ Gem: The Definitive Visual Guide by DK Publishing
$ Rocks, Minerals and Gems by John Farndon
$ Gem Identification Made Easy: A Hands-on Guide to More Confident Buying and Selling by Antoinette Leonard Matlins
$ Gemology by Cornelius S. Hurlbut and Robert C. Kammerling