Becoming a certified gemologist requires different credentials depending on the country and employer. Gemologists can work in various fields, including appraisals, laboratories, retail, and design. Interpersonal skills may be necessary for some jobs.
The credentials you need to become a certified gemologist will depend on where you plan to work. There are several schools of gemology around the world, and each of them has its own criteria for determining which courses a person needs to take to be successful in this field. Some colleges and universities offer traditional gemology courses in the classroom, while others offer courses online.
In the United States, the Gemological Institute of America offers a program of study that leads to this certification. In Britain, there is a two-step process to becoming a certified gemologist. The first certification candidates must obtain is the foundation certificate in gemology. The second certification that must be obtained is the diploma in gemology. Note that many employers will accept a candidate’s certification credentials even if they were obtained or issued in another country. In some situations, however, you may be required to obtain the most commonly accepted certification in your country of work.
If you want to become a certified gemologist, you should know that you will have a myriad of career options available to you once you are properly certified. While many people automatically think of gemologists as jewelry appraisers, they can also work in laboratories or retail stores. They may also be employed by wholesale distributors or as jewelry designers.
For some jobs, you may need to get your certification before being hired. If you don’t have previous experience working with jewelry or gemstones in some capacity, you may need to work as an intern or apprentice if you want to find a good job. Anyone planning to become a certified gemologist should be comfortable with the idea of working closely with a more experienced and highly trained gemologist. This is particularly true early on in your career, while you’re still trying to gain experience.
Most gemologists generally don’t work in close contact with many other people, but having positive interpersonal skills can still come in handy in this job. This is especially true for people who find work in retail or other places where direct contact with clients or customers is required. In addition to having a keen eye for snooping down to the tiniest detail, it can also be helpful to have the ability to relate your opinions to others directly and clearly.
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