***Calling CdnBlingGal!!***

[bem3231]

Hello!...

I''m curious to know more about your experiences taking the IGS online certification course. I''m considering doing it mainly just for fun, and it sounds like you loved it! Did you take the ''basic'' program, or the appraisers one? Did they send you the stones for the practical exam, or do they consider Canada international and hence exempt from the practical exam? How long did it take you?

Anything else that you might be able to tell me about it would be great!! Thanks!

Barbara

PS - Oh, also - where in Canada are you (out of curiosity)? I''m in Calgary.

 

[CdnBlingGal]

Hi Barbara!


I recommend IGS if you are only doing it for fun. I don''t think I would recommend it if you were planning on a career in the jewelery industry. There are better ones for that like GIA, CGA or FGA.

I took the basic program. They do send you stones for the pratical but they will need a $200.00 deposit that is refunded back to you when they recieve they gems back. The site is very informative. You also get a login name and password to get into the membership member only areas.

My Dh bought me lots of gemology tools so it made it easier to study. I''ve got the stereoscope, refractometer (ebay), tweezers, gem holders, dicroscope, chelsea filters, polariscope, loupes, spectoscope, scale, diamonds tester, diamonds and gems (synthetic and natural)etc...

I am ashamed to say that I didn''t do the exam. My membership expired at the end of 07 and I never did renew it. My plan is to enroll in GIA Graduate Gemologist distance program but it''s on the back burner for now as were trying to start a family with medical intervention.

I am in Vancouver, BC... Let me know if you want to know anything else. ....Lily

 

[bem3231]

Hey Lily!

Thanks so much for the info.

Yes, I am thinking of it ''just for fun''. Can you provide an estimate of about how long you think that it might take to complete this course? I realize that that varies greatly based on how intensively someone is pursuing it, but based on your experience how long did it take?

Thanks again!

B.

 

[CdnBlingGal]

Hi Barbara!


If your doing the course at a steady pace, I would imagine you can finish the course within 3 to 6 months. Like, you said, it would depend on how intense you study for it. If I had taken the exams, I would have been done with the course in 6 months. I was studying every weekend and only maybe a day or two on the weekdays.

I hope this helps. The yearly membership fee is relatively inexpensive so i think it''s totally worth it to try it out. I have no regrets doing it...../Lily

 

[bem3231]

Thanks, Lily! That''s really helpful to know.