Diamonds! Emeralds! Rubies! Sounds exciting? Yes that’s what you will be dealing in when you step onto the career path of Gemology. But there are so many questions and doubts. How exactly does the career graph in this field begin? How authentic are the resources who teach these courses? What after becoming a gemologist? .... and so on. Let’s see how to go about understanding the answers.
What is gemology?
Gemology is the study of gemstones. A gemstone or a gem, also called a precious or semi-precious stone, is a piece of mineral, which can be cut and polished so as to be used in jewelry or other adornments. However certain organic materials such as amber, corals, and pearls are not minerals, but are still used for jewelry, and are therefore often considered to be gemstones as well.
These gemstones are minerals that are formed by different processes on or beneath the surface of the earth. They possess the attributes of beauty, rarity and durability and this makes them so special. Every gemstone can be cut and polished in different ways to enhance its beauty. The invention of manufacturing synthetic stones has also revolutionized the market of gems.
Gemstones have an astrological significance as well! In fact it is this characteristic which has led the common man to dare to dream of the commodity which once belonged to the rich class.
The value of a gemstone is decided by 4 C’s- Cut, Clarity, Carat (weight) and Color. Thus a gem could range from Rs. 100 to thousands or even lakhs of rupees! Only a gemologist can decide the real cost.
The study of gemology involves understanding the genesis, structure, classification and properties of these gemstones. Apart from this, it includes distinguishing the natural gemstones from the synthetic ones and the imitations. So you know the diamond, the synthetic diamond and glass and you can also tell the price accordingly.
Allied fields: Gemology is the core study of gemstones; however one can also pursue a specialization in diamond grading, gem testing or jewelry designing. With the basic understanding of gems, these fields provide much scope in the respective arenas.
Gem testing involves the testing of the quality of the gems and grading them according to the standard parameters.
Diamond grading involves the in-depth study of diamonds, their sorting, grading and even trading.
Jewelry designing is the designing of jewels with combinations of different metals and gems.
With so many national and multinational companies venturing into gem trade, particularly diamonds and fashion designing, the scope for gemology and jewelry designing has expanded on a global scale.
How to pursue Gemology?
If you haven’t finalized on pursuing a career in Gemology, it’s advisable to begin with a certificate course. That gives you a fair idea whether you can go ahead. So it saves time and money.
If Gems are your dream career, go ahead for a Diploma in Gemology. That suffices to begin a career as an amateur gemologist. Along with it you can have an add-on of jewelry designing or diamond grading. The next step is to gain some practical experience as a gemologist with jewelers. Though your diploma gives you the knowledge, gems require experience for identification and testing. With experience, your eyes and hands get well trained and that gives you an expertise when you deal with these stones.
Further you can pursue an advanced diploma either in gemology or in your specialization. You can even appear for certification exams through the renowned institutes in UK, US and Canada. The exams are conducted in Mumbai.
Where to pursue Gemology?
The basic diploma in Gemology can be pursued from any recognized institute in your city. If they are providing an introduction of diamond grading or jewelry designing, the better. For further studies the following institutes are renowned in India:
New Delhi
Indian Institute of Gemology
ENSIGN - The Jewel Design Institute
Indian Gemological Institute
Jaipur
Arch Institute of fashion & Design / Arch Gemology & Jewellery Institute
Gemstones Artisans Training School
Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council
Mumbai
The Gemmological Institute of India
The Jasami Department of Jewellery Design & Manufacture
Jhaveri Center for Diamond technology
Jewellery design & Technology institute (JDTI)- Noida
And several others
Gemology can be pursued by correspondence in the above institutes as well through institutes like Gemological Association, UK or American Gemology Institute.
These courses have their exam centers in Mumbai where the practical and exams are conducted.
Career prospects in Gemology: Following are the career prospects for a Gemologist:
Entrepreneurship in Gemstone dealing (the semi precious varieties do not cost a great deal!)
Working as a gemologist with any of the renowned jewelers.
Working or setting up your own laboratory for gem testing or gem identification.
Pursuing further research in gemology or diamond grading.
Creating your own designs in traditional or modern jewelry.
Working as jewelry designers in fashion institutes.
If you are a geologist you can focus your doctorate or post doctorate studies on diamonds or gemstones.
Start with a lab setup for creating synthetic gems.
Dealing in organic gems like corals and pearls is a different business avenue in itself.
You can venture in any one of the above avenues, initially on a small scale and gradually place yourself some day among renowned gemologists or gem traders.
So, what’s your choice? All the best for a dazzling career in Gemology!
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