GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Do you wish to obtain reliable and dependable skills to become a professional gemmologist?
Do you want to know all the theoretical notions of gemmology, know how to observe and handle gems safely, master gemmological tools, and be efficient in identification as soon as you obtain your diploma? Then WGF Career Gemmologist training is for you!
This program covers and broadens all fields inherent to gemmology, and necessary to become a serious and competent gemmologist.
The program includes:
– Definitions of the most important gemmological concepts and the appropriate terminology
– Principles of mineralogy, crystallography, optical physics, and chemistry associated with gems
– Lapidary and cut nomenclature
– Instruments and methodology for gem identification and their scientific principles
– Advanced gem identification testing techniques and introduction to advanced laboratory method instruments
– Comprehensive review of known gems in the world
– Detection of the various treatments used to enhance the appearance and/or value of gems, the latest advances in the gem market
– Identification of natural, synthetic or imitation gems
– Colour and size grading of coloured gems and diamonds and international references
– Gem market

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE
This course is intended for beginners who wish to obtain a recognized diploma to work in the world of gemmology.
Prerequisites: no prerequisites are required, but a good level of education is necessary in order to follow and understand the concepts covered (minimum Cégep in Quebec, and/or equivalent abroad).

ORGANIZATION AND CONTENT OF THE TRAINING
The WGF Career Gemmologist program consists of :
5 theoretical modules
– Basic Gemmology (online)
– Coloured Gemstones (online)
– Advanced Gemmology (online)
– Gem Identification (online)
– Diamonds (online)
6 practical workshops
– Gem identification #1 (5 days)
– Gem identification #2 (5 days)
– Lab-created and Treated Gems (5 days)
– Coloured Gemstones Grading #1 (5 days)
– Coloured Gemstones Grading #2 (5 days)
– Diamond Grading and Lab-created Diamonds (8 days)
Course details
You can find out more by going to the page for each of the modules and workshops that make up the degree.
Homework and exams
Throughout the course, students are given homework assignments and mock exams to prepare for the final exams.
The diploma is validated by passing the following exams (mark above 70% for each):
– Throughout the course :
– 11 online exams for the theoretical courses
– 2 exams of 10 gems each to identify
– 1 online test of colour grading
– Final exams:
– a 100 question online exam for coloured stones
– an online exam of 100 questions for diamonds
– a 5-question theory exam for coloured stones
– a 5-question theory exam for diamonds
– a practical examination of 12 coloured stones to be identified
– a practical examination of 4 diamonds to be graded
Please pay attention:
Theory courses are available to Canadian residents only.
Non-Canadian residents interested in the theory courses should refer to the WGF website.
Workshops and on-site courses are open to both Canadian and international students.
Final exams, both theoretical and practical, are held on site (i.e. during the practical workshops).

AN À LA CARTE PROGRAM
The WGF Career Gemmologist program is organized as follows:
– The theoretical courses are followed online, at one’s own pace, with a digital support, and a printed support if desired.
– The practical workshops are held on-site from Monday to Friday in May and June, with a break of one week.
Once a course has been validated by passing the online exams, the next course can be taken. Payment is made on a course-by-course basis, before the course starts. When all the theoretical courses are validated, it is possible to access the practical workshops according to the school’s calendar.
theoretical courses are validated, it is possible to access the practical workshops according to the school’s calendar.

WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
Course materials
Students receive :
– Digital access to the theoretical courses for life
– Free update every two years
– Students who have chosen this option receive a printed support
Diploma

HOW THE ON-SITE PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS WORK
Attendance at classes is compulsory.
Instruments are provided by the school (microscope, refractometer, polariscope, etc…), but you can use your own instrument kit if you have purchased it.
The gems to be identified are prepared in advance by the teachers and made available to you during the workshop.
Outside of class hours and during school hours, you may access the classrooms if they are not occupied, as well as the gems and instruments to practice and improve your skills.

HOW THE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE WORKS
The principle of the distance learning course is to allow students to organize their studies as well as possible in relation to their family or professional obligations.
To do this, the institute proposes the following organization:
– Each student follows the course at his/her own pace;
– Each student has unlimited digital access to the theoretical courses delivered by the WGF, and you can receive the printed material if you wish (two options are proposed to you during registration: with or without printed material);
– The theory is ideally accompanied by practice. It is advisable to have gems and instruments to train and optimize your studies. For those who need it, we propose a kit of 20 gems designed by the institute as well as a basic kit of gemological instruments;
– Each student benefits from a 14-hour total individual tutoring session given by one of the professors, which can be done in the institute’s premises or via a web platform, in one or several times;
– Homework is proposed throughout the theoretical courses. Corrections with explanations are sent back by the teachers. These assignments are not compulsory but are intended to help you to learn and understand the different concepts covered in the module.

REGISTRATION
Students wishing to follow this training register to begin with on the Basic Gemmology page.
Then, registration is done course by course.
Please pay attention to the filling level of the workshops in order to guarantee your place.
Payment validates registration. This can be done on the page of each course, also by debit or credit card by calling the school at (514) 844-0024, by international bank transfer, by Interac on the email info@igem.ca
PRICES
Prices are given before taxes.
Federal tax (GST) of 5% and provincial tax (QST) of 9.975% must be added.The price of the course depends on the formula chosen. It is obtained by adding the price of each course with the final exam ($380).
Thus, the prices vary from :
– With the theory courses in digital version only: $9,920
– With all printed materials: $10,440
PAYMENT
The training is paid for course by course, directly on each page:
– Basic Gemmology: $305 distance learning without printed material / $390 distance learning with printed material
– Coloured Gemstones: $745 distance learning without printed material / $900 distance learning with printed material
– Advanced Gemmology: $610 distance learning without printed material / $720 distance learning with printed material
– Gem Identification: $340 distance learning without printed material / $425 distance learning with printed material
– Diamonds: $340 distance learning without printed material / $425 distance learning with printed material
– Gem identification #1: $750 (on-site workshop)
– Gem Identification #2: $750 (on-site workshop)
– Lab-created and Treated Gems: $750 (on-site workshop)
– Coloured Gemstones Grading #1: $750 (on-site workshop)
– Coloured Gemstones Grading #2: $1,500 (on-site workshop)
– Diamond Grading and Lab-created Diamonds>: $2,700 (on-site workshop)
– Final exam: $380 (on-site)
TO GO FURTHER
Want to know more?
Don’t hesitate to consult our job descriptions.
Learn more about the Montreal School of Gemmology.
Contact us by email at info@igem.ca, or by phone at +1 (514) 844-0024.
We will be happy to answer your questions.