The classification workshops last two days, and are usually offered on weekends. They end with an examination, the successful completion of which leads to a certificate. They are part of the iGEM Gemmology Certificate course, but they can also be taken as a stand-alone course, for one’s own enjoyment, or to perfect one’s skills in a particular area.

They combine
• Theoretical teaching, concerning the classification and its techniques, and the notions that one must possess
• Practical application to test one’s skills.

The two workshops are:
• Diamond Grading Workshop: the 4Cs will no longer hold any secrets for you;
• Pearl Grading Workshop: from freshwater and saltwater cultured pearls, Akoyas to South Sea pearls, a workshop rich in training and information.

The EGM allows professional gemmologists to create a four day workshop designed specifically for them: observation, manipulation, identification of gems on request, chosen among the vast collection at the school; practice on instruments selected by the gemmologists; focus on certain methods or techniques of identification or grading.
This Custom Professionnal Workshop takes place from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

6 workshops for:

• Students who want to become WGF Career Gemmologist or WGF Diamond Professionnal;
• Professional gemmologists wishing to practice again following a break in their activity, or to bring their knowledge and practice up to date with the new data of the gem market.

Organization:

These workshops take place during the week from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm and last 5 or 8 days. The equipment and instruments are provided by the school, and the students benefit from an intense and efficient practice thanks to the organization set up:
• Each student has his or her own workstation with all the instruments, in bright and spacious classrooms
• A collection of over 3,000 gems selected for their educational value
• Small class sizes to optimize teacher support.

Names and themes of the workshops:

• WGF Gem Identification #1: the student learns to quickly identify gems by colour type
• WGF Gem Identification #2: in continuity of the previous one, other colours are encountered
• WGF Lab-created and Treated Gems: observation and detection of the different types of treatments and syntheses
• WGF Coloured Gemstones Grading #1: learning of the grading systems used internationally; how to determine the commercial value of a gem
• WGF Coloured Gemstones Grading #2: learning about digital grading systems; impact of treatments and colour on the price of a gem; identification is deepened through the use of advanced techniques
• WGF Diamond Grading and Lab-created Diamonds: grading of diamonds, identification of treatments and syntheses, their impact on the price of a diamond.