Wish I had teachers like you in school. The fact that you love what you do , and are not pompus despite knowing what you know , which makes for the type of confidence that is infectious Ina learning environment. It is important that students know they will fail in some or several aspects as beginners and that is ok , it is ok to take chances and with guidance a student can turn that into a great learning experience. I had a teacher that would be a dream come true for many kids in highschool. He was a party friend at medieval reinactments . We drank together , chased wenches , and in general where two peas Ina pod , so dude was Fun to hang out with, he however was not a good teacher and only lasted a year before he got kicked out of the district for dating students. I have no idea if we would have good social interactions as such, but I have learned more from your videos than multiple other sources combined . As someone who has take a correspondence course for another subject entirely, the self motivation shown when you end up with a detailed understanding of the subject , that is beyond the average students , it does look very good for that person when trying to become employed or setting up a shop. The negative really is the loss of hands on experience from access to labs and tools beyond ones normal means if you do not have much money as well as live instructors to show certain techniques and as well as the direct ,hands on interaction . An in person instructor can with permission, help you position your hand on a tool properly, or give a short one on one help session to make sure a technique is understood or some information is understood correctly .
HAH~! I was waiting for someone to recognize my powers. XD Truth is that I filmed this weeks ago and didnt get around to editing it till recently. Somehow rerecording everything just to fit the face trend didn't seem like a priority.
Thank you for this video! When I decided to pursue an education in gemology I waffled between which schools to choose, as I didn't know (and still don't haha) what I exactly want to do for a career yet. I eventually decided to attend Gem-A, and right now I'm doing their Foundation Course online. Though I do agree on the importance of trying to attend a school physically, and plan on doing so if I decide to fully pursue the FGA program. There's a lot to be said about it and schools in general, and your video covered it nicely! I saw another comment about it, but I look forward to a video covering some recommended literature, as I'm looking to broaden my knowledge. Thanks again for the video! :D
how has online been so far?? My option is to leave Florida and go to new york for the few years but that might be too big of a commitment, plus if I work at a jewelry store here I'm sure I would find the right experience being around enough stones..
@@Oshop3 Hi Oliver, so far it has been good! I completed the Foundation Course and am now going through some GIA courses online as well. If you are looking for a focus on the science of gems/using equipment, I would heartily recommend Gem-A. GIA is more jewellery oriented. My best advice besides choosing a school is to go with your idea of working at a jewellery store, though I'd say check out independently owned stores/family owned too, as I've gotten the best advice from there. Good luck with your journey!
As i live in Australia, i completed my studies with the GAA. It may not be as widely known internationally as the more famous institutions, it was however definitely time and money well spent in my opinion. I found both the association, and, the staff to be very professional, the lab equipment, and, course materials to be more than sufficient, and, the standard of education to be quite comprehensive. Much like you, I'd recommend pursuing formal study for anyone keenly interested in the subject, or, otherwise involved with the industry.
I'm glad to hear that it was a good educational experience for you. As long as the school has the right stone library and experienced teachers, I'm confident that a good education can be had anywhere. The only major drawback as I see it is not having access to the wider gem market that we have in Bangkok. Few places in the world have quite so much variety of stones right at your fingertips. Cheers~ and thanks for sharing your experience.
I enjoyed my foundation in gemmology with Gem a and did my diamond grading with GIA in London, two completely different teaching approaches but one was online and one was in class. For me online gives the flexibility with work but the lab classes are priceless.
Thanks Anna~ The Secret Teachings of Gem Cutting is a great book for anyone who deals with gemstones and gem cuts. A lot of intimate information about specific styles - so jewelers can pull it out to help their clients shop for styles and work on recutting a known stone, and of course cutters have a direct map to create any of the 50 styles in the book. Cheers~
Missed my calling. Life happens. Now too old to invest $80k into a GG. I joined groups of GG JG. They love to talk gemstones, AND treatments composition. I ask questions. Bought basic test eqpt learned to use it. I like creating jewelry, metal smithing. Genuine stones only. Too avoid buying IE: LGF as to good sapphire, knowing lab sapphire to black diamond, Tv pic tube w 7 up bottle pulled graphite glass as to real emerald, I did a lot of research. I'm no GG AG. After 10 yrs study, I'm pretty good.
Howdy Robert - I'm a strong advocate of the "School of Life" and I agree that 10 years 'can' bring you more than a 6-8month gemology program. It all comes down to what you have access to and how open you are to the ideas that the material can show you. I'm glad to hear that you're out pushing to learn more. There's many gemologists with diplomas that need to take a page from your book.
@@GemologyforSchmucks Thank you. I enjoy your vids. I want to learn it all. Specialize in colored stones. But I can see why many ppl specialize. It can be very over whelming. Ppl love to talk about themselves, & their passion for gems. I try to be a good listener. Keep up great work.
Thanks Trevor - Thailand has been gradually adapting to the American dialect in favour of business. Thai are also quite proud that they were never officially colonized by Britain.
Peter thank you very much nicely explained, I know it is not the best solution but it is a pity that there are no free schools online for those who are not able to travel and pay for expensive schools
Very insightful and informative episode, Peter. It seems like treatments and country of origins are main priorities of gem owners. Any recommendations on which stones, beyond diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds) to learn more about if you take an in person gem course?
Thanks, Sarma. There are a host of gemstones to learn about with great potential for anyone with an entrepreneurial or creative mindset. SO many gems have yet to be championed, but also have great artistic and commercial potential, and that's just the stones we know about now. There are new stones and new deposits being discovered every year. We don't know the world anywhere near as well as we pretend.
Thanks for the info Peter! I am wanting to pursue more education in the gem field and would ultimately like to acquire and sell stones, maybe dabble in some silversmithing. I am not in a position to be able to travel for school however and am wondering which correspondence courses you think might be worth looking into. I have already acquired a modest collection of different stones so I will at least have those to study hands on.
Hi Clarissa, I've not taken any of these courses myself so its not really for me to say. The value of interacting with stones first-hand is more important than a diploma. Depending on your desired outcome from studying, it may be more worthy of your time and money to take a trip to Tucson during the gem show. That will likely show you more of what you really need to learn to get to where you want to go. Best of luck to you~
GIA is a offers excellent online courses. Instead of doing the theory and basic education in a classroom you can do it online which is a huge advantage in my estimation. You can go at your own speed, review certain aspects that are troubling or that you want to dive in further. The practical is done in labs which is where you get hands on experience. I have completed all their labs and it's first class all the way through. You'll save a lot of money going this route. Check them out online.
Thank you~! I'm debating how to go about it, and what to say about a few "key" books, but its definitely on the list of things I want to do in the near future. It's within the top 3 topics I'm planning to cover soon.
I was thinking how cool it would be to meet you in person. I would definitely enjoy the experience, probably way more than you.😄 I gotta tell ya Pete I had no idea you are an English teacher, you speak Chinese, Japanese and a few others suspect. I thought you were interesting guy before. Now I'm kinda fascinated by you.😊. I've never told another man before that I have crush on them but Peter I have a crush on you. Ok that's done. Bangkok......thats pretty damn cool.
I had no idea but i really love this subject. I think i may actually pursue this pretty far. What are some career options, particularly for self employed people or people that want a lot of flexibility? What are the cheaper and easier certifications to start with? Do they pay for you to travel? At least its deductable if not. How much can people make in this line of work?
Thank you ~ I haven't specifically examined that course, as my goal was to be closer to the active coloured stone trade here in Bangkok. All I can say is that I would evaluate that program with the same lens that I describe in this video.
Thank you for sharing this video Peter, I have my GIA AJP, and I'm currently doing the GIA Diamonds and Diamond Grading Course, I'm ultimately working towards getting my Graduate Gemmologist Diploma Eventually with the GIA, but as a disabled person, and on limited funds I find it easier to study online, the only part I have to complete is the lab work, which I'll do when Fund become available.
Definitely, knowledge is always valuable, and whichever course you choose you're taking a step to enhance your ability and improve your knowledge. Time and geographic freedom to study is definitely a factor and I won't deny that. What I will say is that, as you study, and once you've graduated, it will be of immense help to you to get to a gem market and see as many stones as you possibly can. That sort of experience is what will make the knowledge stick, and also become practical. Cheers, and thanks for the comment Annie~
@@anniepoulton8501 you could still give it a go though ~ i've got Thai friends that have gotten substantial scholarships for those programs. Never hurts to try eh?
Thanks for sharing your opinion! I recently interested in Gems and love the nature beauty that it brings us, I’d love to be a gems trading . What should be the right school or course should I take to start, please help me out! I’m resident of Lousiana, United States. Have a blessed one!
Thanks~ They're looking to reopen in September I believe with a condensed course. I believe it is 3 months now, but you'd need to check with them. The program I did was 6 months long, so that's something to take into your calculus.
The Gubelin academy isn't a program that I have much direct knowledge about. They're mostly known for their lab services, and the activities of their founder (peace be upon him).
Surprised you didn't mention the Deutsche Gemmologische Gesellschaft (DGemG), especially given your channel name schmuck is German! Lol Sounds like they've been around for 90 years and have a ridiculously large number of gemstones and state of the art equipment under the same roof as the school. And it costs a lot less than the GIA too. Thoughts?
The video is certainly not comprehensive about all programs everywhere,I agree. First hand i've not heard any chatter about that program, so I don't have much to say in that regard. Do you know if the program is taught in English, or only in Deutsche?
Hi Diba ~ the only way to become an expert is to see and test a lot of stones. A course can provide you a lot of knowledge, but true expertise comes from experience in conjunction with knowledge. Best of luck and thanks for reaching out.
Gem dealers definitely stand to make the most money in the gem world. Jewelry designers for strong houses and some jewelers are likely to be next highest. Its like the difference between getting a salary job and being any other type of entrepreneur. The road of the entrepreneur is volatile and unexpected, but stands to create the most value.
Hi ~ I would strongly suggest looking into the job market near you first and inquiring. Schools make their money by telling you "yes", but the knowledge and expertise compared to the other individuals competing for those jobs is where the true answer lies. Do local employers actually care?
So...the GIA has basically taken away their teachers' ability to keep learning about gemstones. Not the best approach, in my opinion. I would want to learn from someone who really keeps up on things. In fact, my guitar teacher is one of the best in the world, and as far as I'm concerned those are the only people we should be learning from...actual experts. It's sort of the same with doctors, since a new doctor will be better trained than most old doctors...if those old doctors aren't bothering to learn anything new during their working careers.
I'm sure the politically correct answer to this (cough cough... allergy) is: they're not prohibited to keep learning, in fact they're encouraged to do so (they're just heavily restricted in making their own purchases and/or blending between commercial and educational channels.) My perspective is much more in line with yours: those who are the most active in a practical field typically have the most accurate read on what is going on.
Im kinda surprised they dont have an AI machine you can just toss the gem in and viola. That is probably coming. How would you tell a treated (irradiation or heat) blue topaz from a natural one?
Thats an interesting coincidence, because I was having a conversation about this very thing this past week. Definitely possible. I think it would come down to having a specialized technician orient the stone before the AI did everything else. AI doesn't account for aesthetic like people do.
At this point in time AI can't even write an herb boom that won't get you killed from misidentifying poisonous plants. I think AI is highly over rated at this point.
