Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:28 pm Posts: 6 Location: Tucson AZ USA
Hi all. Has anyone completed both the Gem-A Foundation program and any or all of the GIA GG courses? I'd really like to get a sense of how much overlap there is between the two, and how the programs compare.
I just completed Foundation (exams yesterday!) and am considering various options for my next steps. Would love to hear from someone who's done both GIA and Gem-A, in either order.
I have done both. I prefer the GIA program, even though I may be a bit biased (even if I wasn't biased, I would still prefer the GIA program). There is quite a lot of overlap between the two programs. The GIA program facilitates learnings do hands on experience, while the Gem-A program essentially requires memorization. (That seems like the same thing at the surface, but is very different). The GG will require actual hands on identification of 500 stones (distance Ed) or 1700 by residence. That is where the GG far outshines the FGA, which requires only a handful of stones for the lab portion. While both are overall, really good choices, I do feel that the GG is a better choice between the two. But, if you already have one of the diplomas, it may not be worth the cost to do the other as both programs are reasonably similar in content.
I have both. Did GIA in residence and loved it. Took the FGA afterwards, for a fee without taking the course. They used to allow this, don't know if they still do. the GIA didn't allow FGA's to take the GIA exam though. Don't know why. GIA is much more hands on, but it is the same material, RI's and SG's are the same in both courses. The diamond GIA grading system is essential if you wish to work in the trade.
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