THEORY COURSES
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.
PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS
Gem Identification 1 (Practical)
This four-day workshop 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 four-day workshop 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 two-day workshop 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 four-day workshop 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). 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 2 (Practical)
This four-day workshop includes practical instruction on how to access the hue, tone and saturation of coloured gemstones
using ColourWise, a digital coloured gemstone grading system and how to grade opals, jadeite and pearls. The course fee includes a lifetime subscription to
ColourWise and online exercises. 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
Explore our two immersive four-day coloured gemstone grading workshops, designed to teach students how to grade coloured gemstones, opals,
jadeite, and pearls.
Diamond Grading & Lab-created Diamonds (Practical)
This six-day workshop 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.
Fees
All course fees are included in our latest course brochure. For theory courses, payment can be made by using the 'Buy Now' option in the
dropdown menu. For practical classes, please contact us at information@worldgemfoundation.com for a list of available classes.
Learn More!
Discover our diploma programs and courses! Download our 2026-2027 course brochure, by clicking on the image below
