Basic Gemmology (Theory)

In this course you will learn about the various instruments used to identify gemstones, the scientific principles they are based upon, their uses and their limitations. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Advanced Gemmology (Theory)

In this course you will learn about imitation gemstones, the different methods used to manufacture lab-created gemstones, how to distinguish them from their natural counterparts, and how to detect the various treatments used to improve the appearance and/or value of gemstones. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Gem Identification (Theory)

This course takes a more practical look at the identification of gemstones based on colour and transparency. Each colour grouping is further divided into gemstones (natural and lab-created) based on their optical character and sign with a separate lesson devoted to gemstones that exhibit optical phenomena or are unusual in appearance. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Coloured Gemstones (Theory)

This course concentrates on the twenty-six most common groups, species and varieties of coloured gemstones giving a comprehensive overview of their physical and optical properties, how they are mined and cut, their unique identifying features, and the various systems currently used to grade them. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Diamonds (Theory)

Upon completion of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the chemical nature of diamonds, how they are formed, classified (colourless and fancy coloured), mined, processed and cut, the unique properties that allow them to be separated from other colourless gemstones, and how they are graded. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Diamond Professional Diploma Programs.

Career Gemmology (Theory)

This course consists of five modules (78 lessons) and includes all the material covered in Basic Gemmology, Advanced Gemmology, Gem Identification, Diamonds and Coloured Gemstones. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards the Career Gemmologist, Coloured Gemstone Professional and Diamond Professional Diploma Programs.

Gem Identification 1 (Practical)

This practical class consists of 30 hours and covers gemstones included in the colourless, red, pink, orange, yellow and green colour groupings. Study stones include faceted and cabochon cut gemstones in addition to rough specimens. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Gem Identification 2 (Practical)

This practical class consists of 30 hours and covers gemstones included in the blue, violet/purple, brown and black colour groupings as well as unusual and phenomenal gemstones. Study stones include faceted and cabochon cut gemstones in addition to rough specimens. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Lab-created & Treated Gems (Practical)

This practical consists of 30 hours and includes practical instruction on how to identify lab-created and treated gemstones focusing specifically on rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Coloured Gemstone Grading 1 (Practical)

This practical consists of 30 hours and includes practical instruction on how to access the hue, tone and saturation of coloured gemstones using three popular colour grading systems (Gemological Institute of America, GemDialogue and World of Color) and how to grade pearls, jadeite and opals. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Videos

Learn about our four-day coloured gemstone grading workshop where students learn how to grade gemstones for colour, clarity and cut.

Learn about our opal, jadeite, and pearl grading workshop.

Coloured Gemstone Grading 2 (Online / Practical)

This online practical course gives students the opportunity to work with ColourWise, a digital coloured gemstone grading system. This system uses the HSL colour model and has been designed to create a critical bridge between the gemmological scientific world and the gem and jewellery trade, shortening the period it generally takes to obtain the practical experience required to work in the trade. Course fees include a lifetime subscription to ColourWise, online exercises and the World Gem Foundation glass study stone grading samples. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Programs.

Video

Learn all about ColourWise

Diamond Grading & Lab-created Diamonds (Practical)

This practical class consists of 48 hours and covers the colour and clarity grading of diamonds, the visual estimation of the table %, crown angle, pavilion depth %, girdle thickness, polish/symmetry, plotting of inclusions and the identification of lab-created diamonds. Upon the successful completion of this course you will receive course credits towards both the Career Gemmologist Diploma and Diamond Professional Diploma Programs.

Rubies, Sapphires & Emeralds (General Interest)

This course focuses on three coloured gemstones (rubies, sapphires and emeralds) that individually and collectively are considered the cornerstones of the coloured gemstone trade. After completion, students may upgrade to ‘Coloured Gemstones’ and receive a credit equal to the value of the cost of this course towards Coloured Gemstones.

Opals & Jade (General Interest)

This course focuses on two gemstones that without question represent two of the most complex and challenging gemstones in the world of gemmology to grade and value. After completion, students may upgrade to ‘Coloured Gemstones’ and receive a credit equal to the value of the cost of this course towards Coloured Gemstones.

Organic Gems (General Interest)

The science of gemmology is a hybrid of many different scientific disciplines including not only geology, mineralogy, physics and chemistry but also biology, zoology and botany. This course explores a very select group of gemstones (coral, jet, amber, ivory and pearls), formed through organic processes rather than through geological forces deep within the earth’s surface. After completion, students may upgrade to ‘Coloured Gemstones’ and receive a credit equal to the value of the cost of this course towards Coloured Gemstones.

Learn More!

To discover more about our theory and practical courses, please download our 2025 - 2026 WGF Course Brochure