| If you would like to become more educated | | | | have learned throughout the course, you will have |
| about appraising diamonds for your own collection | | | | to take and pass a written and practical test in |
| or because you sell diamonds and diamond | | | | order to receive your diploma. The course in IGI |
| jewelry, you can study for a certificate in IGI | | | | appraisals of rough diamonds is a week long |
| appraisals. Since this certification and the skills you | | | | course. In this course, you will gain valuable |
| learn in the courses are recognized throughout the | | | | information about non conflict diamonds and how |
| world, you could also jumpstart your career in this | | | | to determine whether or not the diamonds come |
| area. | | | | from conflict areas of the world. |
| The grand majority of diamond appraisal | | | | Study of the different diamond mines and their |
| institutes, such as EGL loose diamonds and GIA | | | | practices is an important part of this section of |
| diamond rings, have a team of gemologists on | | | | the course. The main part of the course deals |
| staff that conduct the appraisals of the diamonds | | | | with teaching you how to sort diamonds by clarity |
| submitted to them. Even though there is a cost | | | | and color and the markings of rough diamonds. |
| associated with taking appraisal courses, if you | | | | Then you will learn how to evaluate them and |
| deal with large quantities of diamonds you can | | | | practice using the computerized estimation |
| save yourself money by being able to do your | | | | technology used by IGI. At the end of the 7 |
| own appraisals. | | | | days, you then must take and pass the test in |
| The courses offered in IGI appraisals are in the | | | | order to receive your "diamond diploma." |
| areas of: | | | | Although IGI appraisals mainly specialize in |
| - Polished stones | | | | diamonds, other colored stones are submitted to |
| - Rough diamonds | | | | the institute for analysis. You can also earn |
| - Colored stones, and | | | | certification in grading and appraising other types |
| - Jewelry grading | | | | of colored stones, such as rubies, sapphires, |
| The course leading to the certificate known as | | | | emeralds and pearls. This course is 10 days in |
| IGI Polished Stone Grader from IGI Appraisals is a | | | | duration and will teach you how to identify a |
| comprehensive one that takes place over the | | | | stone and tell whether it is natural of synthetic |
| course of 5 to 8 days depending on where you | | | | and treated or untreated. |
| take the course. In the introductory lessons of | | | | As part of the course, you will receive instruction |
| the course, you will learn about the 4 C's of | | | | in how to use specialized instruments, such as a |
| diamonds and learn all the terminology associated | | | | refractometer, polariscope and dichroscope. At |
| with this field. In the first week you will learn how | | | | the end of the course when you pass the written |
| to grade diamonds for clarity by using both a | | | | and practical exam, you will receive a diploma |
| high-powered microscope and the loupe. | | | | certifying you as an IGI Colored Stone Appraisal |
| The next part of the course will teach you how | | | | Specialist. |
| to determine the color of the diamond, after | | | | You can easily find out about the cost of the |
| which you proceed into learning how to determine | | | | courses and the locations where they are taught |
| the cut of the stone. This includes an elementary | | | | at various times of the year by looking on the |
| knowledge of the different fancy cuts for best | | | | website of the International Gemological Institute. |
| value diamonds. Diamond fashioning involves | | | | The courses do take place at the various facilities |
| learning the steps that take place in taking a | | | | throughout the world, which makes it possible for |
| rough diamond and fashioning it into one that is | | | | you to take one in your home country or travel |
| ready to be set into a piece of jewelry. | | | | to an exotic part of the world. |
| Along with lots of practice in applying what you | | | | |