At the World Gem Foundation, we appreciate that every student’s journey is different. With varying work, home, and lifestyle commitments—and
different learning preferences—we’ve designed our programs to be adaptable. Currently, all three diploma programs (Career Gemmologist, Coloured Gemstone Professional and Diamond Professional) are offered under our 'Flex Study' format, while the Career Gemmologist program is now offered in a structured
format, with a set timetable, clearly defined start and finish dates and lessons, webinars, and examinations spread across two academic terms.
Flex Study Programs
Career Gemmologist Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career as a gemmologist and consists of seventy-eight theoretical lessons and
192 hours of practical in-class instruction. Students can enrol at any time and progress at their own pace. Since this program includes the course content for
both the the Coloured Gemstone Professional and Diamond Professional Diploma programs, students successfully completing this program will receive three
diplomas (Career Gemmologist, Coloured Gemstone Professional, and Diamond Professional).
In the theoretical part of this course, you will learn all about the various instruments used to identify gemstones, the scientific principles they are
based upon, how to distinguish imitation and lab-created gemstones from their natural counterparts, how to detect the various treatments used to improve the
appearance and/or value of gemstones, how gemstones are mined and cut, the grading procedures for diamonds and coloured gemstones, the
identification of gemstones, advanced gem testing techniques, and a comprehensive overview of twenty-seven of the most
popular gem species found in the gem and jewellery industry.
Topics covered include: The chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties, basic
crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, refraction, reflection and the refractometer, polarized
light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification,
thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, the methods used to manufacture lab-created
gemstones including Verneuil, Czochralski, flux melt, hydrothermal, skull crucible, zone melt, horizontally oriented
crystallization, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), chemical vapour deposition (CVD), detonation, ultrasonic
cavitation, sublimation method, and modified Stober method, their unique identifying features, treatments and
enhancements including heat treatment, surface and sub-surface diffusion, lead glass fracture filling, flux assisted
partial fissure healing, glass fracture filling, cobalt doped glass filled sapphires, high heat & pressure (HT+P),
clarity enhanced diamonds, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), quench-crackling, surface modifications, coatings and
foil backs, laser drilling, and irradiation, gem mining and cutting, diamond and coloured gemstone grading, gem
identification by colour and transparency, advanced gem testing techniques and a comprehensive overview of the
twenty-seven most common groups, species and varieties including diamonds, corundum (rubies and sapphires), beryl
(emeralds, aquamarines and other precious beryls), chrysoberyl (alexandrite and other chrysoberyl), spinel, zircon,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot, quartz, garnet, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal, jadeite, kunzite and hiddenite,
feldspars, iolite, andalusite, diopside, apatite, pearls, coral, jet, ivory and amber.
Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the coloured gemstone industry and consists of seventy-four
theoretical lessons and 144 hours of practical in-class instruction. Students can enrol at any time and progress at their own pace. Upon successful
completion, students will receive credits towards the Career Gemmologist Diploma prgram.
Topics covered include: The chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties,
basic crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, refraction, reflection and the refractometer, polarized
light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification,
thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, the methods used to manufacture lab-created
gemstones including Verneuil, Czochralski, flux melt, hydrothermal, skull crucible, zone melt, horizontally oriented
crystallization, sublimation method, and modified Stober method, their unique identifying features, treatments and
enhancements including heat treatment, surface and sub-surface diffusion, lead glass fracture filling, flux assisted
partial fissure healing, glass fracture filling, cobalt doped glass filled sapphires, high heat & pressure (HT+P),
quench-crackling, surface modifications, coatings and foil backs, and irradiation, gem mining and cutting, coloured
gemstone grading, gem identification by colour and transparency, advanced gem testing techniques and a comprehensive
overview of the twenty-six most common groups, species and varieties including corundum (rubies and sapphires), beryl
(emeralds, aquamarines and other precious beryls), chrysoberyl (alexandrite and other chrysoberyl), spinel, zircon,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot, quartz, garnet, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal, jadeite, kunzite and hiddenite,
feldspars, iolite, andalusite, diopside, apatite, pearls, coral, jet, ivory and amber.
Diamond Professional Diploma Program
This diploma program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the diamond industry and consists of
an eight lesson theory course and 48 hours of practical in-class instruction. Students can enrol at any time and progress at their own pace. Upon successful
completion, students will receive credits towards the Career Gemmologist Diploma prgram.
Topics covered include: The physical properties, geology, localities, principle mines, crystal system, chemical composition and
classification, fancy colours, causes of colour, absorption spectra, inclusions, fluorescence, mining, cutting, gem identification, methods of synthesis, common
treatments and enhancements and grading of diamonds.
Structured Study Programs
Career Gemmologist Diploma Program 'Listen & Learn' (New for 2026)
This diploma program follows a more structured format, with clearly defined start and end dates for each module, scheduled webinars, and online
examinations. Like the flex-study option, it consists of seventy-eight theoretical lessons and 192 hours of practical in-class instruction. Since this program
includes the course content for both the the Coloured Gemstone Professional and Diamond Professional Diploma programs, students successfully completing this
program will receive three diplomas (Career Gemmologist, Coloured Gemstone Professional, and Diamond Professional).
In the theoretical part of this course, you will learn all about the various instruments used to identify gemstones, the scientific principles they are
based upon, how to distinguish imitation and lab-created gemstones from their natural counterparts, how to detect the various treatments used to improve the
appearance and/or value of gemstones, how gemstones are mined and cut, the grading procedures for diamonds and coloured gemstones, the
identification of gemstones, advanced gem testing techniques, and a comprehensive overview of twenty-seven of the most
popular gem species found in the gem and jewellery industry.
Topics covered include: The chemical nature of gemstones, their physical and optical properties, basic
crystallography, the absorption of light, the spectroscope, refraction, reflection and the refractometer, polarized
light, the polariscope, pleochroism, the dichroscope, colour filters, specific gravity, luminescence, magnification,
thermal conductivity, imitation, assembled and lab-created gemstones, the methods used to manufacture lab-created
gemstones including Verneuil, Czochralski, flux melt, hydrothermal, skull crucible, zone melt, horizontally oriented
crystallization, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), chemical vapour deposition (CVD), detonation, ultrasonic
cavitation, sublimation method, and modified Stober method, their unique identifying features, treatments and
enhancements including heat treatment, surface and sub-surface diffusion, lead glass fracture filling, flux assisted
partial fissure healing, glass fracture filling, cobalt doped glass filled sapphires, high heat & pressure (HT+P),
clarity enhanced diamonds, high pressure, high temperature (HPHT), quench-crackling, surface modifications, coatings and
foil backs, laser drilling, and irradiation, gem mining and cutting, diamond and coloured gemstone grading, gem
identification by colour and transparency, advanced gem testing techniques and a comprehensive overview of the
twenty-seven most common groups, species and varieties including diamonds, corundum (rubies and sapphires), beryl
(emeralds, aquamarines and other precious beryls), chrysoberyl (alexandrite and other chrysoberyl), spinel, zircon,
topaz, tourmaline, peridot, quartz, garnet, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, opal, jadeite, kunzite and hiddenite,
feldspars, iolite, andalusite, diopside, apatite, pearls, coral, jet, ivory and amber.
To learn more about our new 'Listen & Learn' initiative, click here
Future Studies
Students who complete either the Coloured Gemstone Professional or Diamond Professional Diploma programs will receive credits towards the
'Career Gemmologist' diploma. Students can complete the 'Career Gemmologist' diploma at any time within five years of completing the Coloured Gemstone
Professional or Diamond Professional diplomas.
Fees
All course fees are included in our latest course brochure. For theory courses, payment can be made by using the 'Buy Now' option in the
dropdown menu. For practical classes, please contact us at information@spanishgemacademy.com for a list of available classes.
Learn More!
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