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What Will You Learn

  • Develop in-depth, hands-on experience with the GIA's International Diamond Grading System and the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight), and learning how they affect diamond value
  • Grade diamonds in the D-to-Z color range consistently and accurately
  • Learn diamond identification and grading skills
  • Distinguish natural, treated, and laboratory-grown gemstones using the GIA Colored Stone Grading System
  • Learn the characteristics of coloured stones, with a focus on ruby, sapphire, and emerald
  • Identify characteristics, simulants, and treatments, and when advanced testing is required
  • Study 60 species of gemstones use gemmological equipment (including a 10x loupe, microscope, polariscope, dichroscope, spectroscope) and procedures to grade and identify hundreds of gemstones
  • Translate technical knowledge into valuable information
    for effective sales and excellent service

Possible Career Paths

Diamond Manufacturer

Jewellery Manufacturer

Loose Diamond / Coloured Stone Buyer and Seller

Jewellery Wholesaler

Lab and Research Professional

Aspiring for a career in the gem and jewellery industry

Frequently Asked Question

The applicant for GIA courses should have higher H.S.C. or equivalent to 10 + 2. Also, all courses are conducted in English language only. Hence, proficiency in English language is required. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

GIA education offers a foundational knowledge in gems and jewelry, as it is designed to meet the needs of all types of learners. Many of our students do not have any background in the industry, yet they successfully completed the programme and have flourished either by starting their own ventures or working for established names in the industry.

The GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma program delivers a comprehensive gemmology education on diamonds and coloured stones. Using the latest gemmological equipment, you will work with real diamonds and gemstones under the trained eyes of GIA instructors. Through extensive lab work, you will practice.

Each classroom is equipped with an electronic balance with a hydrostatic unit, a GIA DiamondDock , GIAiD100 , a UV lamp with viewing cabinet. Each student workstation has a binocular microscope with an overhead light source. As part of your course materials, you will receive and keep a 10x loupe, tweezers, a gem cloth, a pointer probe, plotting pens, a table gauge, a crown angle card, a color grading card, the GIA padfolio, a lab manual and printed course materials.

As a part of developing hands-on experience, GIA conducts various value-add activities - in addition to the curriculum - such as guest sessions and factory visits. In guest sessions, students get the opportunity to hear from industry experts, and through factory visits, students gain first-hand experience of witnessing the diamond manufacturing process. During and after completion of their programmes, students also continue to remain a part of the GIA Alumni Network to help them build stronger connections in the industry.

No. The same curriculum is taught at every GIA school, but programs may be offered in different languages at some GIA locations. Each campus location has a unique class schedule and course offerings, and the number of students per class varies.

GIA provides assistance to the students in finding suitable industry placements. Companies from the gem and jewellery industry interested in recruiting GIA students approach GIA with their requirements. Similarly, interested students also connect with GIA for support in finding suitable job profiles. Common enquiries are for diamond graders, gemmologists, jewellery designers, and sales and marketing professionals. GIA, however, does not offer any job guarantees.

Upon successfully completing the programme, you will earn the Graduate Gemologist Diploma Program. In addition, you can become a part of the GIA Alumni Collective as well as the global alumni chapters.

Topics Covered

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 naturally 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.

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About GIA

Established in 1931, GIA protects the public through gemmological research, education, impartial gem identification and grading services, and instrument development. The world’s foremost authority in gemmology and creator of the 4Cs, GIA sets the standard for determining the quality of diamonds and performs research-based identification of coloured gems and pearls. All of GIA's activities are governed by its mission to serve the public. Learn More