Residency Programs - 2023/2024

The World Gem Foundation is pleased to offer 'Residency' programs in Ethiopia, Holland and Canada. These programs offer students the opportunity to complete the three diploma programs in six-months (Career Gemmologist Diploma), five-months (Coloured Gemstone Professional) and one-month (Diamond Professional).

Availability

At the World Gem Foundation, we pride ourselves on offering intimate classes with a high instructor/student ratio and fully equipped workstations. If you would like to enroll in one of our residency programs, please click on the applicable links below. All places will be filled on a 'first come, first served' basis and are subject to sufficient confirmed registrations.

Current Schedules

Please find the current schedules by region:

East African Gem Academy - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Language of Instruction

These diploma programs will be offered in English.

Weekly Study Schedule

To view the weekly study schedule, please click here

Registration

To register with the East African Gem Academy, please click here

Career Gemmologist Diploma

Course Overview

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.

Practical Instruction

This program consists of six practical modules (Gem Identification #1, Gem Identification #2, Coloured Gemstone Grading #1 & #2, Lab-created & Treated Gems and Diamond Grading / Lab-created Diamonds).

Tests and Examinations

In total there are twelve online tests, two preparatory coloured gemstone practical examinations (each consisting of ten stones), one final coloured gemstone practical examination (consisting of twelve stones), a practical diamond examination (requiring the preparation of complete lab reports for four diamonds), two 100 question theoretical multiple-choice examinations and two theoretical five essay question examinations.

Diplomas

Upon the successful completion of this program, graduates will receive three diplomas (Career Gemmologist, Diamond Professional and Coloured Gemstone Professional).

Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma

Course Overview

The 'Coloured Gemstone Professional Program' is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the coloured gemstone industry.

Topics Covered Include

The program covers 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.

Practical Instruction

This program consists of five practical modules (Gem Identification #1, Gem Identification #2, Coloured Gemstone Grading #1 & #2 & Lab-created & Treated Gems).

Tests and Examinations

In total there are eleven online tests, two preparatory coloured gemstone practical examinations (each consisting of ten stones), one final coloured gemstone practical examination (consisting of twelve stones), a 100 question theoretical multiple-choice examination and a theoretical five essay question examination.

Diplomas

Upon the successful completion of this program, graduates will receive the Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma.

Diamond Professional Diploma

Course Overview

The 'Diamond Professional Program' is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the diamond industry.

Topics Covered Include

The theoretical component of this program covers 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.

Practical Instruction

This program consists of one practical module that covers colour and clarity grading, how to estimate the table %, crown angle, pavilion depth %, girdle thickness, polish and symmetry and how to identify lab-created diamonds.

Tests and Examinations

In total there is one online test, a practical examination (requiring the preparation of complete lab reports for four diamonds), a 100 question theoretical multiple-choice examination and a theoretical five essay question examination.

Diplomas

Upon the successful completion of this program, graduates will receive the Diamond Professional Diploma.