IGS Gemology Course
Costs and Requirements
No enrollment is required. As an IGS member, you are automatically entitled to take part in the course. This is set up so you can study at your own pace; there are no time frames involved. Other than your membership, the only fees are for testing.
Course Materials
The gemology course is divided into sections.An Introduction to Gemology covers basic subjects of interest to the general public. These are non-technical articles designed to open the doors to a complex subject.
Advanced Gemology explains the technical terms used to define gems and introduces the more complex subjects.
Practical Gemology goes one step further, explaining how to use the tools of gemology and what to do with the information they supply. This is the essence of gem identification.
This is the most difficult part to learn. It takes time and practice to learn how to use these instruments properly. Take one instrument at a time and master it, before moving on to the next one. Intersperse this practice with your reading for the quickest learning.
(See "Tools of the Gemologist" for a list of necessary instruments.)
Gem Grading details the factors used in grading diamonds and colored stones.
Advanced Gem Information gives details on specific gems.
This information can be found in our Reference Library. Most students will want to start with the "Introduction to Gemology" lessons and then progress into the "Advanced Gemology" section.
Do not put off the "Practical Gemology" section to last. This is where you learn how to use the tools of gem identification. It takes time and practice to learn how to use these properly. Take one instrument at a time and master it, before moving on to the next one. Intersperse this practice with your reading for the quickest learning.
Gem Lending Program
To further your study, we lend out packages of gems. There are no limits on how many you can borrow. You can use and many or as few as you feel are necessary.The stones are chosen to give you a good representation of what you will encounter as a professional gemologist. Most of the gems are common varieties, like amethyst, diamond, and garnet. There are faceted gems and cabs, natural, synthetic, and assembled stones. Most are of a reasonable size, but there are also some tiny gems. They are harder to work with, but they are common in jewelry so practice with them is a necessity.
For the Master Gemologist program there are also rare gems, carvings and rough. The rough has been specially selected to insure that it is possible to identify with standard gemological tools. Lapidary equipment isn't required to identify these pieces. (In business, if someone where to bring you a lot of rough to identify, you might need to polish areas in order to see the interior and take RI readings.)
The gems are in lots of fifteen. To order gems, you must first supply us with a deposit of $200. This will be refunded at the end of your study, provided all the gems are returned. You will be charged for any gems lost.
There is a fee of $30, plus shipping, for each set of fifteen gems. Forms will be provided for both identification and quality grading. Return the forms to the IGS for grading before returning the gems. The corrected forms will be sent to you for review. You can then compare the graded forms with the gems before returning them to us.
Please try to complete and return each lot within thirty days. Let us know if additional time is needed. If we do not hear from you within two months, your deposit will be forfeited.
Certification Programs
Professional Gemologist Program (PG)To become certified as a "Professional Gemologist", PG, one must demonstrate their knowledge, the ability to use standard gemological tools, be able to identify common gem materials and separate natural gems from their synthetic counterparts. In addition, one must demonstrate fundamental skills of grading by color, clarity, cutting, and size per species.
Any member may apply for certification.
You will need all the standard tools of gem identification. You do not need to purchase any books or reference materials, all the information you need is included with your membership.
Testing will be in two segments, a written test and a practical exam. Both exams will be conducted through the mail. There is a $30 grading fee, (plus shipping,) for each section, plus a $200 deposit will be required for the gems. This will be refunded, provided all the gems are returned. You will be charged for any gems lost.
Master Gemologist Program (MG)
Any member who is an IGS certified Professional Gemologist, a Graduate Gemologist, or holds a similar certification from another recognized gemological organization may apply.
To be certified as a Master Gemologist one must demonstrate the ability to identify rough gem materials, crystals and rare gems. There is a single exam in which you will be required to identify fifteen materials.
There is a $30 grading fee for testing, plus shipping. A $200 deposit will be required for the gems. This will be refunded, provided all the gems are returned. You will be charged for any gems lost.
IGS Evaluation Program
This program is set up to allow members to have their gems or jewelry reviewed by professionals.
Each evaluation is $30. Also enclose sufficient funds for return postage and insurance.
Send your packages to:
IGS
PO Box 66
Hornbrook, CA 96044
Registered mail is the safest way to send valuables. Insured regular mail is less expensive.
Among the areas covered are:
JEWELRY
Over all quality of workmanship.
Eye appeal, (while subjective, emphasis will be given to matching colors and harmony of form.)
Soldering, if any.
Casting quality, if cast.
Use of metal, too much or too little will be noted.
Stone setting.
Special techniques, mill grain, bead work, etc.
LAPIDARY
Faceted Gems:
Symmetry.
Quality of polish.
Appropriate girdle thickness.
Accuracy of facet meets.
Sharpness of facet edges.
Brilliance vs. color enhancement, (was the cut appropriate for the material.)
Cabochons:
Symmetry.
Quality of polish.
Appropriate girdle thickness.
Use of material, was the design or color in the rock well highlighted?
Doming, is it even across the entire surface?
Will it be easy or problematic to set?
Carving:
Does it suit its purpose? (Whether a stand alone carving, or intended for jewelry.)
Design execution, (can you tell if it is a horse or a dog?)
Choice of material, is it the suitable for the purpose?
Finishing: quality of polish, evenness of frosting, detailing.
Article Submissions
Articles are welcome on gemology, metal smithing, lapidary and related subjects. The only requirement is that technical terms must be defined.
The IGS is to be granted a one time publishing right for its web site. The author will retain all other rights, with the sole restriction that the article isn’t published elsewhere for one year from date of printing.
Compensation will be minimal, but no published author will go unrewarded.
Please inquire before starting on a project, just to make sure someone else is not doing the same thing.
Email: service@gemsociety.org Post: IGS, PO Box 66, Hornbrook, CA 96044, USA
Faceting Design Submissions
Design submissions must be accompanied with an example cut in gem material. The gem will be returned within a few days.
A piece of high quality facet rough will be awarded for each design published!
Mail to: IGS, PO Box 66, Hornbrook, CA 96044, USA
Address Changes
To inform us of a change of address, or other account information, send an email to service@gemsociety.org.
American Society of Gemcutters Certifications
The International Gem Society recognizes the high standards set by the American Society of Gemcutters.
The ASG requirements were among the strictest ever established. To achieve certification, a lapidary had to first pass a written exam. Then they had to score at a particular level in two separate competitions. The minimum score for the Certified Master Gemcutter, (CM,) qualification was 97 points out of a possible 100. A Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, (CSM,) needed to score better than 99.7! CSM has been referred to as the "doctorate" of Gemcutting, as only 61 people ever achieved this level.
The president of the American Society of Gemcutters, Gerald Wykoff, has supplied us with the following list of certified cutters.
Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, (CSM)
| Duane K. Luce George R. Schuchman Roger Lafreniere M. L. Wright Jerry L. Capps Charles Dempsey Dieter W. Irmischer Robert S. Stepp Warren Burchett James H. Gray Joseph C. Smith Dr. Jean A. Marr Richard G. Kors Earl Zoeller Jack Slevkoff Joseph M. Harter |
T. J. Douglas Woodrow Leonard Herbert Hirata Maren Hirsch Jack E. Haslup Kent McClanahan Alan Peterson Donald Clark Michael Dyber Dana M. Reynolds A. E. Tokaz Gerald L. Wykoff Frank H. Crayton Marshall Henderson Earl W. Spiegel |
Dr. Vincent Bishop David K. Boutilier Leon Reeder Walter Locker Lester C. Waters Russell D. Osterhout Dick Fairless Dr. Alston C. Lundgren Carl Childers William Horton A. L. Hollinshead Ewing Evans Paul Northrup Lucille Gearhart William R. (Bill) Ehney |
John Pascal Richard J. Cupan David B. Sigler Eugene E. Homan Dale E. Heutzenroeder Lester C. Waters Alan E. Reigelman Sr. F. T. Mooney Joel R. Giard Edward Cozens M. L. Wright Ed Gory David Thompson J. C. Finlayson Miklos Vari Stephen Kotlowski |
Certified Master Gemcutter, (CM)
| William Moon Milton Houston Joseph Bowersmith E. W. Zukauckas Gary Scardone/R. Wollin Donald Wannebo Jim Replogle Glen Linker Gerald L. Hess |
Gary M. Henson John J. Wiorkowski Sofus Michelsen Harry Kuzminski Kaj Toft Robert L. Praska Dr. Marvin Schles Edward I. Wielgo Gary L. Statton |
Gary McCutchen Irene Francis Roy A. Gilmore Henry Kuzminski Floyd J. Halcin Carl B. Eleazer Robert Hadley |
Congratulations to all American Society of Gemcutters, Master and Supreme Master Gemcutters. We applaud your accomplishments!
