Graduate Colored Stones Program

Countless colors, limitless possibilities.

Wednesday afternoon: A trillion-cut tanzanite pendant nestles against a velvet display in a store’s window. Friday evening: The jewel sparkles on the neck of a woman dining by candlelight on her anniversary. How did it get there? Where did it come from?

The special allure of colored stones spans the globe. Their origins lie in exotic places like Sri Lanka, Africa, Vietnam, Australia, and Brazil – places most people only dream about.

In the GIA Graduate Colored Stones diploma program, you’ll learn all about the origins of colored stones, how to identify them, and distinguish a synthetic stone from a natural.

You’ll practice with hundreds of actual gemstones using essential gemological testing equipment like a refractometer and polariscope. You’ll be able to detect treatments and apply GIA’s Colored Stone Grading System to evaluate a stone’s color, clarity, and quality.

You’ll also acquire the essential product knowledge and trade practices you need for a successful career in gems and jewelry.

The Gem Identification course is available via eLearning. That means all three courses required to earn the Graduate Colored Stones diploma are offered through GIA’s exclusive online learning environment. Take a look at the Gem Identification course now.

Program at a Glance

Credential You Earn
GIA Graduate Colored Stones diploma

Program Highlights

Learn how to:
Buy and sell colored stones effectively
Relate quality, rarity, and color to value
Identify common and unusual gemstones
Determine external market factors’ effect on gem value

Learning Methods

Distance Education + Lab Classes
On Campus

Program Requirements

For Distance Education + Lab Classes

• Colored Stone Essentials - eLearning
• Colored Stones - eLearning
• Gem Identification - eLearning
• Colored Stone Grading Lab class
• Gem Identification Lab class

For On-Campus

• Graduate Colored Stones Program – 19 weeks continuous program

Tuition

$5,130 approximately = Distance Education + Lab Class
$13,200 approximately = On Campus

See Fee Schedule for additional fees including applicable books, materials, and taxes.