Justin T.
Thoughts on the GIA GG home study program
Updated 7/26. I'm part-way though the GIA GG (Graduate Gemologist) diploma. Superb. I took one class in Mumbai, India (I could have done it in NYC or Carlsbad, CA.). The in-person class was superb. The at-home-by-mail classes (they send you stones, you ID and return them) is excellent. Warning for you if you intend to obtain the GIA Graduate Gemologist Certification. I finished my colored stones ID course, home-study. It was great. It was frustrating, much more difficult than I expected, and it was SLOOOOOOW. Do I reccomend the courses, yes! The warning: If you take colored stones, you can take the final 20-stone exam up to 10 times. The problem: GIA is in institution. Read "College/University." Allow at least two weeks, ideally 3-weeks between final exam retakes. Also allow 3 weeks to set up your proctor. I suggest that you allow yourself time enough for 4 tries. Therefore you should finish all the work 4x3 + 3 weeks = 15 weeks BEFORE your course ends. I thought it would be a few days past finishing, nope, write them on a Friday, get an answer the next Thursday. Request an exam, allow 5-days processing. Allow 3 weeks to set up your proctor. Seriously. Gem ID is 24 months, plan to finish all work 3 months before the end date. No complaints other than I was seriously ill which set me back, but no exceptions and frankly I can't blame them 24 months is enough but know that I'm coughig up another $3900 for "my bad." As far as sending items to their lab: They never, ever "lose" an item sent to them, the review who says so is very odd. As GIA always uses Fed-x 2-day. I would not hesitate to send them a $50,000 gem or piece of jewelry. The person who complains about "his diplomas not being good," well, GIA wants proof of high school diploma or GED, that's all. If you're smart enough, and you probably are, get a GED, that's enough. Their classes are tough, they are not cheap, but the GIA GG is the most respected gemology cert in the entire world. Highly recommended. Updated Advice: The class is now 18 months. Finish it in 6 months, then you'll have time to try multiple times, since each try can take weeks. I suspect that more than half of my group either never finished or failed, it is not easy.