Gemology

**mrsquirrel** · 18-10-2006, 07:18 PM

Has anybody ever studied at the Gemological school in BKK?

What exactly does one get out of studying there?

Any sort of employment afterwards?

**mad_dog** · 18-10-2006, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

Has anybody ever studied at the Gemological school in BKK?

What exactly does one get out of studying there?

Any sort of employment afterwards?

The entrepreneur Bangkok Phil put an advert in the Bangkok Post and became the "white face" for an Indian gem scam outfit. He was raking in the mollaa and spending it all on designer clobber until he was arrested....

Ask him about it

**hillbilly** · 18-10-2006, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

Has anybody ever studied at the Gemological school in BKK?

What exactly does one get out of studying there?

Any sort of employment afterwards?

As a matter of fact i do know a 'falang' lady attending this very school (I think). Will try to find out tomorrow...

BTW, I do know several people (non-Thais) making a living in this line of work here in Thailand.

However, I must add, I don't know a diamond from a grain of salt...

**stroller** · 18-10-2006, 08:18 PM

There are at least 2 institutes in BKK, one a branch of the wolrd-wide known US company (the name escapes me at the moment), and a Thai institute with international English-speaking staff. I did an introductory 2-week course at the Thai thingy (won it in a raffle some years ago), and recommend it.
The US one is more focused on diamonds, the Thai one on coloured gem-stones, so rumour has it.

You learn about gems (obviously), where they are found, physical properties, what they look like rough and cut, and most importantly, how to test what stone you have actually in front of you, how to grade it and whether it's the real thing or a synthetic. Most of the courses are pretty much hands-on, you get to use instruments and handle stones everyday.

It's an essential course to take if you consider dealing in gem-stones - there are a few opportunities for this in Thailand. Also, the certificate is good for getting you started in a related job, or as an additional qualification if you're in the gem or jewelry trade already.

**friscofrankie** · 18-10-2006, 09:29 PM

THE US one is GIA or Gem Institute of Amercia. They have two path that can be combined. There is the colored gems path and the Diamond path. I looked intot he course it is quite comprehensive and the full certified gemoligist (colored gems) was about 200K they have some distance courses and by taking those and the few in house only courses you can get away with about 80 - 90 K (this was afew years ago.

I don't remember the combine cost but many of the classes are required for both. You can get diamond only as well or a combined "certified gemologist" peper from them the course work for colored stones if you go tothe in-house course takes about 9 months to a year, many of the courses are only available once a year. Again not sure about the availability of the diamond courses or how they are scheduled. being Thailand is hte "colored gemstone capital of the world" I think focuing here then expanding into diamonds after gainful employment is gained might be a good path.

All of the pricing and scheduling knowledge I have is about four years old, but it's a start.

Have absoutely no idea what the job prospects are after gaining certification but he GIA is probably the most respected name in Gemology and I have read that about 90% of the worlds colored gems come through Thailand for grading, heat treatment and cutting, I'd tend to think they were pretty decent.

**Gerbil** · 18-10-2006, 09:47 PM

I nearly got involved with irradiating saphires here about 10 years ago. Sensibly backed out while I could.

**forreachingme** · 18-10-2006, 10:36 PM

BTS Surasak station and there you are in the Gem world Bkk is a great Gemologist city...

There is one stone museum in The Yowarat area, really worth the visit if you like to see huge "eggs" of Amehtist and other stones...

Here the adress:

Rare Stone Museum
Tel: 236-5666, 236-5655, 236-5712
Located on Charoenkrung Road between Soi 26 and Soi 28 Bang Rak, this museum features thousands of queer stones found in Thailand and various countries as well as displays collections of ashtrays and cigarette labels.
It is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht per person.

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