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 Post subject: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:36 am 
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Hi All-

I recall seeing a post on this in the past, but have not been able to dig it up so thought I'd revive it.

I currently work in a retail jewelry store and am moving to focus more on appraisals and have been debating about working towards a GG. I took the diamond grading lab class last year in Tucson (I'm a gem show local!) and loved it. I'm a very hands on person so taking the lab first was very helpful for me.

Moving forward, does anyone have any recommendations in what order to take the courses and labs?

Gem ID Lab always comes before Colored Stone Grading Lab in dates and I'd like to try to take them back to back if possible? Any recommendations on where you were in distance courses in reference to these labs would be great OR if you wouldn't recommend taking them back to back.

All help is appreciated! Jessica


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 2:17 pm 
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Hi Jessica,

I took all of these in the last two years, so I thought I'd throw out my experiences:

I started with the Diamonds courses, and took the Diamond Grading Lab after finishing the Diamonds online course - I found that made things easier in lab. However, if you've taken and passed the DGL lab, you've passed your hardest (and the only graded) lab! Both Colored Stones Grading and Gemstone ID are pass/no-pass.

I then started the Colored Stones online courses, and took Colored Stone Grading Lab about a third to halfway through. Several people in my lab class had been there the week before, taking Gemstone ID, so I don't think that's uncommon. It's really helpful to take Gemstone ID Lab before starting the course, as you learn to use the equipment, so I'd definitely recommend that.

Hope that helps!
- Danielle

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Danielle Signor, GG
Web designer during business hours; gemstone-obsessed 24/7/365.


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:39 pm 
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Hi Jessica,

This is the order that we typically recommend for Distance students who are intending to complete the full Graduate Gemologist Program:

Diamond Essentials
Diamonds & Diamond Grading
Diamond Grading Lab Class
Colored Stones Essentials
Colored Stones
Colored Stones Grading Lab Class
Gem ID Lab Class
Gem ID

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Paul Mattlin
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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 12:28 am 
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Thanks for the responses!

I'm curious as to why the colored stone grading comes before the Gem ID classes? I would think it'd be important to understand WHAT gem you are looking at prior to being able to grade it? Any insight?

Thanks!

Jessica


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:38 pm 
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In the color stone grading lab class, you learn about the gia color grading system in regards to hue, tone and saturation, along with the basics of the gia color stone clarity scale and cut quality.

These are all things that will help to prepare you for the gem id course, so they are good to know and understand prior to taking this course. Knowing how to determine the accurate color of a gem is extremely important in gem id, especially when the variety of the stone is based on a color call. The gem id course is the longest and most intensive of the distance education gemology courses, so we always recommend taking it last after you have learned everything else that can assist you in your identification calls.

Having said that, you are not required to take the lab classes prior to gem id. It is simply recommended.

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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 1:04 am 
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Makes sense when you explain it that way- thank you!


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:40 pm 
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The full gem hue set which consist of 324 collour with manual is all you need for cs grading.


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 4:24 pm 
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melode wrote:
The full gem hue set which consist of 324 collour with manual is all you need for cs grading.

Some folks would have debated that even when the set was available....and, it no longer is.


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 Post subject: Re: Order of courses & labs for Distance Ed.?
PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:17 am 
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Barbra Voltaire wrote:
melode wrote:
The full gem hue set which consist of 324 collour with manual is all you need for cs grading.

Some folks would have debated that even when the set was available....and, it no longer is.



Not all gemologist willing to let go the set. but I think the standard normal hue set is sufficient for cs grading.it is all depends on the individual.


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