Career Gemmologist Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career as a gemmologist and consists of seventy-eight theoretical lessons,
five five-day workshops (168 hours) and a 60 hour online course. Since this program includes the course content for both the the Coloured Gemstone Professional
and Diamond Professional Diploma programs, students successfully completing this program will receive three diplomas (Career Gemmologist, Coloured Gemstone
Professional, and Diamond Professional).
In the theoretical part of this course, you will learn all about the various instruments used to identify gemstones, the scientific principles they are
based upon, how to distinguish imitation and lab-created gemstones from their natural counterparts, how to detect the various treatments used to improve the
appearance and/or value of gemstones, how gemstones are mined and cut, the grading procedures for diamonds and coloured gemstones, the
identification of gemstones, advanced gem testing techniques, and a comprehensive overview of twenty-seven of the most
popular gem species found in the gem and jewellery industry.
Topics covered include: The chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties, basic
crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, refraction, reflection and the refractometer, polarized
light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification,
thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, the methods used to manufacture lab-created
gemstones including Verneuil, Czochralski, flux melt, hydrothermal, skull crucible, zone melt, horizontally oriented
crystallization, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), chemical vapour deposition (CVD), detonation, ultrasonic
cavitation, sublimation method, and modified Stober method, their unique identifying features, treatments and
enhancements including heat treatment, surface and sub-surface diffusion, lead glass fracture filling, flux assisted
partial fissure healing, glass fracture filling, cobalt doped glass filled sapphires, high heat & pressure (HT+P),
clarity enhanced diamonds, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), quench-crackling, surface modifications, coatings and
foil backs, laser drilling, and irradiation, gem mining and cutting, diamond and coloured gemstone grading, gem
identification by colour and transparency, advanced gem testing techniques and a comprehensive overview of the
twenty-seven most common groups, species and varieties including diamonds, corundum (rubies and sapphires), beryl
(emeralds, aquamarines and other precious beryls), chrysoberyl (alexandrite and other chrysoberyl), spinel, zircon,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot, quartz, garnet, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal, jadeite, kunzite and hiddenite,
feldspars, iolite, andalusite, diopside, apatite, pearls, coral, jet, ivory and amber.
Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the coloured gemstone industry and consists of seventy-four
theoretical lessons, four five-day workshops (120 hours) and a 60 hour online course.
Topics covered include: The chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties,
basic crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, refraction, reflection and the refractometer, polarized
light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification,
thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, the methods used to manufacture lab-created
gemstones including Verneuil, Czochralski, flux melt, hydrothermal, skull crucible, zone melt, horizontally oriented
crystallization, sublimation method, and modified Stober method, their unique identifying features, treatments and
enhancements including heat treatment, surface and sub-surface diffusion, lead glass fracture filling, flux assisted
partial fissure healing, glass fracture filling, cobalt doped glass filled sapphires, high heat & pressure (HT+P),
quench-crackling, surface modifications, coatings and foil backs, and irradiation, gem mining and cutting, coloured
gemstone grading, gem identification by colour and transparency, advanced gem testing techniques and a comprehensive
overview of the twenty-six most common groups, species and varieties including corundum (rubies and sapphires), beryl
(emeralds, aquamarines and other precious beryls), chrysoberyl (alexandrite and other chrysoberyl), spinel, zircon,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot, quartz, garnet, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal, jadeite, kunzite and hiddenite,
feldspars, iolite, andalusite, diopside, apatite, pearls, coral, jet, ivory and amber.
Diamond Professional Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the diamond industry and consists of
an eight lesson theory course and an eight day (48 hour) practical workshop.
Topics covered include: The physical properties, geology, localities, principle mines, crystal system, chemical composition and
classification, fancy colours, causes of colour, absorption spectra, inclusions, fluorescence, mining, cutting, gem identification, methods of synthesis, common
treatments and enhancements and grading of diamonds.
Future Studies
Students who complete either the Coloured Gemstone Professional or Diamond Professional Diploma programs will receive credits towards the
'Career Gemmologist' diploma. Students can complete the 'Career Gemmologist' diploma at any time within five years of completing the Coloured Gemstone Professional or Diamond Professional diplomas.
Learn More!
To discover more about our diploma programs, please download our 2025 - 2026 WGF Course Brochure
