GIA Lab Classes

Through a unique combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching and multimedia, the Diamond Grading lab class explores how to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and a loupe. Students study GIA’s International Diamond Grading System™, explore time-saving shortcuts to determine a variety of grading factors, and are introduced to methods for reading a GIA Diamond Grading Report. You will spend more than 16 hours practising grading techniques on diamonds that were carefully selected and graded by GIA. In the process, you will study how to recognise the most common diamond features. Students must pass a two-stone practical exam to complete the class successfully.

Through extensive hands-on practice using gemstones, you will explore grading the colour, clarity and cut quality of a wide range of coloured stones. Coursework includes the study of the GIA Colored Stone Grading System; how to describe colour by hue, tone and saturation; and how to judge gem quality factors. Topics also include the relationship between light and colour and developing colour memory. Study of this content can improve the consistency and accuracy of coloured stone grading skills. Students must pass a two-stone practical exam to complete the class successfully.

In this lab, students practise the same time-tested procedures and identification skills used by the Institute’s renowned gemmological experts. Tools used include a microscope, a refractometer with polarising filter and a removable magnifying eyepiece, refractive index (RI) liquid, a polariscope with an optic figure sphere, a dichroscope, a table model prism spectroscope, a handheld spectroscope and a loupe. Students use these instruments to practise identifying natural gemstones, imitations, assembled stones and laboratory-grown. Along with this hands-on training, your instructors will carefully demonstrate key tests and coach you in quick, effective testing procedures. Be sure to read the Student Notification of Classroom Chemical Usage in the Education Catalogue. Students must pass an instrumentation exam to complete the class successfully.

Discover how the world’s foremost experts determine the quality of Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian pearls. Explore GIA’s 7 Pearl Value Factors™. Key topics include how to evaluate cultured pearls in order to promote the relationship between beauty, value and quality in merchandise. Students must pass a two-stone assessment to complete the class successfully.