World Gem Foundation
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are your courses available in other languages?

All of our theory courses are now available in English, French and Spanish.

2. Do I need any prior experience or studies to enrol in your courses?

In most cases there are no pre-requisites however in order to do our 'Advanced Gemmology' or 'Gem Identification' courses, you will need to complete either our Basic Gemmology course to take the Advanced Gemmology course or Basic Gemmology, Advanced Gemmology or an equivalent to take our Gem Identification course.

3. When can I start and how long does it take to complete the courses?

Our courses offer tremendous flexibility allowing you to start at any time and progress at your own speed. You will however be required to write a number of online tests as part of the individual course syllabuses before you can progress onto the next stage of any course. The length of time it takes to complete our courses will depend largely on the time you have available to devote to your studies and your understanding of the course materials. We certainly recommend that you take your time because at the end of the day it is not the certificate that hangs on your wall that defines you as a professional and competent gemmologist but your level of understanding.

4. How can I pay for my courses and what happens when I pay?

Courses can be paid via PayPal, Stripe or by bank transfer. Once your payment has been received, you will receive access codes and links that will allow you to access your course. This link will also allow you to choose the format in which you want to study (i.e free standing e-course for Mac, Windows, iPad, iPhone or Android or online). If you have selected the 'print option', your course notes will be mailed to you. As you progress through the course, access codes will be emailed to you that give you access to the online tests.

5. Can I get a refund once I receive the course materials?

No. Once the digital or printed materials have been sent to you, there is no refund.

6. Why should I study through the World Gem Foundation?

We offer students optimal learning conditions: large classrooms, professional equipment, a vast collection of gems, and a limited number of students for each course. Our professors and lecturers are all experienced gemologists, who each bring their rich experience to our programs and courses.

7. How do I take the practical components of the course?

The practical workshops are scheduled at different times of the year. You can find the schedule by clicking here

8. Do I need any equipment to take your courses?

You will need access to gem testing equipment to complete our Gem Identification course or our diploma programs 'Career Gemmologist', 'Coloured Gemstone Professional' and 'Diamond Professional'.

9. I am not very strong in science, will this prevent me from completing your courses?

While it is true that gemmology is a science, great care and attention has been taken to break down the various scientific concepts and principles into understandable components. This was largely achieved by recruiting editors who, for the most part, did not have any prior gemmological or jewellery experience. We do not believe that you should take the science out of gemmology but we do believe that you can explain it in a language that everybody can understand.

10. Are their job opportunities in the gem industry?

One of the wonderful aspects of our industry is that it offers a variety of opportunities where you can pursue your career, from mining to gem cutting, wholesaling, retailing, appraising or education. Your success in this field will ultimately depend on your level of expertise and we believe that our courses can provide the proper platform for you to succeed in this challenging and fascinating field.