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Professional Program – Vancouver

LEARN WITH THE CGA

Start your career in gemmology! An in-depth understanding of the science of gemmology and how it applies to all aspects of the gem and jewellery trade.

Select your preferred learning path: an intensive full-day course to become a qualified gemmologist within a year, or part-time course over two years.

For classes in Vancouver the course notes and lab manual can now be ordered for an extra fee in both Chinese Traditional or Chinese Simplified upon request.

OTHER PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Program Options

 

PROGRAM Code Duration Tuition Books Instruments Expendable Supplies
Full-Time Option:
Accelerated Professional Gemmology – condensed Years 1 & 2 02-500-GAP Approx. 285 hours over 16 weeks $12,365.00 Included In Tuition    Included In Tuition Included In Tuition
Part-Time Option:
Year 1 – Gemmology Basics 02-300-JAG TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
Year 2 – Professional Gemmology 02-400-PGP TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Full-Time Option

Become a qualified gemmologist in just 4 months. This is the most efficient option for those needing to put their training into action as soon as possible.

Accelerated Professional Gemmology

Schedule: May 25, 2026 to August 20, 2026
Time:  Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 1 hr lunch
Fees: $12,365.00
Class Delivery: Classes will be held in person on the Vancouver campus

Course Content:

  • The nature of gems
  • Fundamental scientific concepts applicable to gem studies
    • Crystallography & crystalline substance
    • Physical properties of gems, including hardness, specific gravity, cleavage & fracture
    •  Optics and optical properties of gems, including the nature of light, colour, polarization of light, dichroism, refraction, birefringence, lustre, dispersion, spectra
  • How to use small gemmological instruments (loupe, dichroscope, Chelsea filter)
  • Introduction to synthetic and imitation gemstones
  • Gem cutting and cut styles (including diamond)
  • Introduction to gem species (including non-mineral gems) – nature & properties
  • Chemistry & Atomic Structure of Minerals
  • Colour, Refraction & Birefringence in Gems
  • The Refractometer and Other Methods of Estimating the R.I. of Gemstones
  • Dispersion & Special Effects Detected in Gemstones, The Gemmological Microscope
  • X-Rays & Luminescence
  • The Spectroscope
  • Advanced Crystallography
  • Methods of Producing Synthetic Gem Materials
  • Synthetic Diamond & Diamond Simulants
  • Imitations & Gemstone Enhancements
  • Mineralogy and Geology
  • Gem Species
  • Non-Mineral Gems
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Part-time Option:

The full professional gemmology program is divided into two parts – Gemmology Basics and Professional Gemmology that must be completed sequentially, each taking roughly eight months.

Gemmology Basics (First Year)

Schedule: TBA
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm PST
Fees: TBA
Class Delivery: TBA

Course Content:

  • The nature of gems
  • Fundamental scientific concepts applicable to gem studies
    • Crystallography & crystalline substance
    • Physical properties of gems, including hardness, specific gravity, cleavage & fracture
    •  Optics and optical properties of gems, including the nature of light, colour, polarization of light, dichroism, refraction, birefringence, lustre, dispersion, spectra
  • How to use small gemmological instruments (loupe, dichroscope, Chelsea filter)
  • Introduction to synthetic and imitation gemstones
  • Gem cutting and cut styles (including diamond)
  • Introduction to gem species (including non-mineral gems) – nature & properties
There are no upcoming events at this time.
ENROL NOW - Coming Soon

Professional Gemmology (Second Year)

Schedule: TBA
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm PST
Fees: TBA
Class Delivery: TBA

Students may elect to write the CGA Fellowship examinations upon successful completion

Course Content:

  • Chemistry & Atomic Structure of Minerals
  • Colour, Refraction & Birefringence in Gems
  • The Refractometer and Other Methods of Estimating the R.I. of Gemstones
  • Dispersion & Special Effects Detected in Gemstones, The Gemmological Microscope
  • X-Rays & Luminescence
  • The Spectroscope
  • Advanced Crystallography
  • Methods of Producing Synthetic Gem Materials
  • Synthetic Diamond & Diamond Simulants
  • Imitations & Gemstone Enhancements
  • Mineralogy and Geology
  • Gem Species
  • Non-Mineral Gems
    There are no upcoming events at this time.
    ENROL NOW - Coming Soon

    Tax Receipts

    Students enrolled in these programs receive T2202A Tuition, Education, and Textbook Amounts Certificates in February of each year for income tax deduction purposes.