I am new to this forum and Gemmology. I have just started the GEM-A Foundation ODL end of March. I have no knowledge or experience, just my passion for stones and I am honestly terrified after looking at the syllabus. I am determined, however wondering if I will be able to remember all the details for the written exams. Does it get easier? I do feel like I am learning a new language here.
Has anyone done the Foundation course recently? Any advice is welcome.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21688 Location: San Francisco
You'd be surprised how much room you have in your brain for new information. It has been my experience that one remembers things that they find interesting and flush out things they don't.
Thanks for the replies! and apologies for the delay. I did not realise the post was accepted.
Dioptase- how difficult did you find the course? How much did you actually memorise from the course notes to be able to recall? Have you had any experience or knowledge prior starting the course? In regard to exams - how did you find it?
I am starting block one tomorrow however, did already some reading. I absolutely adore the course, mostly worried about the type of exam being written and not multiple choice not knowing how in depth I will need to explore the subject. Of course I have my tutor and the group but always better to be prepared.
Dioptase- how difficult did you find the course? How much did you actually memorise from the course notes to be able to recall? Have you had any experience or knowledge prior starting the course? In regard to exams - how did you find it?
The foundation and the its exam weren’t difficult at all. I had a bit of a head start because I have a Master of Science, but honestly nearly all the people in my class passed. They didn’t have any specific experience prior to the course, just studied attentively and their efforts paid. Like Barbra said, if you have the drive, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to absorb a lot of information. Try to stay a bit after class if possible. Test as many stones and use all the instruments you possibly can. The more stones you see, the better. Practice makes perfect!
The Diploma itself is a bit more challenging, but you will have a clearer picture once you get toward the end of Foundation.
Kinga wrote:
I am starting block one tomorrow however, did already some reading. I absolutely adore the course
I’m on ODL course, so I will not be able to stay after class but I can rent as many stones I need to familiarise myself with them.
Soak in as much practical experience as possible. Everything: natural, imitations, synthetic, treated to hell and back, every gem varieties and colors available and so on.
Kinga wrote:
If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing now as profession? I assume you have finished your gemmology studies.
Graduated in January 2009 (the worst possible timing ever to look for a job... at least until now ), I've been working for a gem cutting company since 2010. Mostly sales.
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