Real Education, Rock Science

Gemmology may deal with the aesthetics of gemstones but it has a solid foundation in science, and the only way become a Gemmologist is through extensive education.

Throughout university and further post-secondary education I maintained a personal interest in gemstones, but it was not until 2001 when I entered the Canadian Gemmology course at the Vancouver Community College that a formal education in Gemmology began. Years of continued post-secondary education and my constant desire to learn gave me a distinct advantage over classmates who struggled with the complex mix of chemistry, physics, and geometry that are the base sciences used by all Gemmologists. My past study and intense interest in the material was reflected by receiving the Dean Field Award for graduating head of my class in my junior year and in my senior year I graduated at the top of my class in 2003, thus achieving my FCGmA.

My underlying desire to learn was peaked almost instantly and I shortly began working toward my second and more recognized Gemmology degree. Independently, I pursued my FGA, the British Gemmology degree by completely undertaking both the first and second year courses over the next year and a half in my newly completed home lab. My hard work, and decision to complete the entire British Gemmology course, proved justified as I achieved my FGA degree in 2006, being officially notified in September of my accomplishment.

Further formal education is harder to achieve now as certification and degrees of lesser respect and complexity are available but offer little challenge. Currently I belong to several Gemmology organizations and groups. I regularly attend conferences on the latest technologies in the industry, as well as wide range of related subjects. Taking the route that many Gemmologists have taken I have begun to do independent research in my own lab. I have become an active author and publish articles and papers on various aspects of the Gemmology field.