A gemologist’s job entails working with a wide range of gemstones. Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are among them, but they aren’t the only ones. A good gemology school will go over the specifics of each type of gemstone, as well as how to recognize, work with, and sell them. There are several gemology schools around the world, but because gemology is such a broad and diverse field, a gemologist’s job requires him to keep learning long after his schoolwork is completed.
The Ecole de Gemmologie de Montreal, a gemology school accredited the Canadian Gemological Association, is regarded as one of the world’s top educational centers for gemologists. The Gemological Association of Great Britain, another highly regarded program, collaborates closely with this gemology school. The Gemological Association of Great Britain is one of the world’s oldest, and its gemology school program is one of the most affordable in the world. The International School of Gemology is another gemological institution.
When looking into a gemology school, look for one that not only teaches the practical aspects of the field, but also places a strong emphasis on business and marketing skills. Because gemologists deal with the general public, these abilities are extremely valuable. While a program that teaches the technical aspects of gemology may provide a wealth of fundamental knowledge, the inability to communicate this information to someone who does not have technical knowledge may result in a career failure. A person shopping for a diamond may not be interested in learning about the diamond’s formation, light refraction, or chemical composition; instead, he is interested in knowing how much it costs, where it came from, and whether it is a good diamond. A successful gemologist should be able to use his technical knowledge and skills to answer a customer’s questions in an understandable manner so that the customer can make an informed purchase.
A gemologist’s career begins with a bachelor’s degree in gemology. Continuous education is essential, and anyone pursuing a gemologist degree should be extremely self-motivated. For graduates of a gemologist school, an apprenticeship with an established gemologist is often the next step. This has the added benefit of providing more practical experience to those who have pursued a distance or online degree, as well as demonstrating how to effectively interact with customers.