AIGS · Online learning

Colored Stone Grading & Pricing

15 sections · 126 lessons

About this course

Explore the fascinating world of colored stones. Examine some of the most popular gemstone varieties in the market, where they come from, how to evaluate them and understand how the gem business works.

You will learn:

Key knowledge about gemstones like ruby, sapphire, emerald, jade and more
How to evaluate colored stones with an in-depth look at the 4 C’s of Color Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight
Key factors to consider when making a purchase
The workings of the gem trade

Recommended for: Gemstone Traders, Gemstone Experts, Gemstone Buyers, Appraisers, Graders, Gemstone Lovers, Retailers

Duration: Self-paced; complete within 180 days

Examinations: Three attempts within 3 months
Theory: Exam online 75%
Practical: On Campus – 100%
Should a student fail either or both the written and practical exams, they are allowed a maximum of two retakes.

Upon successful completion, you’ll earn: Colored Stone Grading & Pricing Certificate

Explore the curriculum

See what’s inside. Select a section to browse its lessons.

Section 1 · 11 lessonsLesson 1 - Introduction to Gemology

What is a Gemstone?

Locked

Gem Classification by Origin

Locked

Weights and Measures

Locked

Gem Attributes

Locked

Crystallography

Locked

Chemical Composition

Locked

Properties

Locked

Gemological Instruments

Locked

Why Do Gems Look The Way They Do?

Locked

Gemstone Fashioning

Locked

Cut Styles and Shapes

Locked

Section 2 · 7 lessonsLesson 2 - Introduction to Grading & Appraisal

Why Colored Stone Grading?

Locked

Course Structure

Locked

Quality Grading

Locked

Diamond & Colored Stone Grading Compared

Locked

Pricing

Locked

Appraisal

Locked

Essential Tools

Locked

Section 3 · 9 lessonsLesson 3 - Conditions for Colored Stone Grading

Visible Light & Color

Locked

Color

Locked

Light Sources

Locked

Skylight Conditions & Corundum

Locked

Color Sensitivity

Locked

Examining Gems Under Natural Light

Locked

Artificial Light

Locked

Types of Artificial Lights

Locked

Viewing Geometry

Locked

Section 4 · 10 lessonsLesson 4 - Color Grading

The 3 Elements of color

Locked

Color Coverage

Locked

Color Description Systems

Locked

Other Color Atlases

Locked

CIE System

Locked

Comparison Sets

Locked

Color in Ruby & Sapphire

Locked

Origin & Price Premiums

Locked

Color Grading of Ruby & Sapphire at AIGS

Locked

Assessing The Final Grade

Locked

Section 5 · 7 lessonsLesson 5 - Clarity Grading

Blemishes & Inclusions

Locked

Judging Clarity

Locked

Steps in Clarity Grading

Locked

Clarity Grading Conditions

Locked

Clarity Grade Descriptions

Locked

Inclusion Types

Locked

Clarity Enhancements

Locked

Section 6 · 11 lessonsLesson 6 - Cut & Cut Grading

Cutting Basics

Locked

Parts of Cut Stones

Locked

Faceted vs Cabochon Cuts

Locked

Cutting Styles

Locked

Common Shapes

Locked

Cutting Beauty Factors

Locked

Reflection , Refraction & Total Internal Reflection

Locked

Cut Grading

Locked

Brilliance, Windows & Extinction

Locked

3 Elements of Cut Grading

Locked

AIGS Overall Cut Grading

Locked

Section 7 · 5 lessonsLesson 7 - Carat Weight

Weight

Locked

Influence of Carat Weight (Size) on Value

Locked

Weight Estimation

Locked

Weight Estimation Formula

Locked

Correction Factors For Weights Estimation

Locked

Section 8 · 12 lessonsLesson 8 - Corundum

Occurrence

Locked

Sources

Locked

Inclusions (General)

Locked

Asterism: Star Corundum

Locked

Cutting of Corundum

Locked

Quality In Ruby and Sapphire

Locked

Comparison Of Rubies & Pink Sapphires From Different Sources

Locked

Comparison Of Blue Sapphires From Different Sources

Locked

Treatments

Locked

Buying Ruby / Pink Sapphire

Locked

Buying Blue Sapphire

Locked

AIGS Grading & Pricing Worksheet – Review

Locked

Section 9 · 5 lessonsLesson 9 - Cat's Eye & Alexandrite Chrysoberyl

Transparent Chrysoberyl

Locked

Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl

Locked

Grading of Cat’s EYE

Locked

Alexandrite (Color-Change) Chrysoberyl

Locked

Grading Alexandrite

Locked

Section 10 · 10 lessonsLESSON 10 - Opal

General Description

Locked

Varieties

Locked

Precious Opal

Locked

Varieties of Precious Opal and Their Imitations

Locked

Australian Opal Fields

Locked

Other Important Opal Sources

Locked

Grading of Opal

Locked

Color

Locked

Play of color

Locked

Buying Opal – Critical Evaluation Factors

Locked

Section 11 · 7 lessonsLESSON 11 - Jadeite

The True Jades

Locked

Jadeite Jade

Locked

Treatments

Locked

Assembled Stones

Locked

Burmese Jadeite

Locked

Grading of Jadeite Jade

Locked

Prices

Locked

Section 12 · 7 lessonsLESSON 12 - Beryl

Beryl Varieties

Locked

Emerald

Locked

Emerald Sources

Locked

Pink Beryl

Locked

Red Beryl

Locked

Yellow & Green Beryl

Locked

Aquamarine

Locked

Section 13 · 14 lessonsLesson 13 - Other Important Colored Gems

Gem Market Structure

Locked

Feldspar (Moonstone)

Locked

Garnet

Locked

Iolite (Cordierite)

Locked

Lapis Lazuli

Locked

Peridot (Olivine)

Locked

Quartz (Crystalline)

Locked

Spinel

Locked

Spodumene (Kunzite)

Locked

Topaz

Locked

Tourmaline

Locked

Turquoise

Locked

Zircon

Locked

Zoisite (Tanzanite)

Locked

Section 14 · 10 lessonsLesson 14 - The Gem Business

Distribution of Colored Stones

Locked

Pricing Factors

Locked

Purchasing Stones

Locked

Learning About Pricing

Locked

Buying At Dealers’ Offices

Locked

Getting Started In The Gem Business

Locked

Where To Buy

Locked

Trips To Chanthaburi, Bo Ploi, Mae Sod & Mae Sai

Locked

Birthstones

Locked

Wedding Anniversaries

Locked

Section 15 · 1 lessonExaminations

Examinations

Locked