[Jewelry making - Article 00834] - Re: [Orchid] GIA Grad. Jeweler Diploma...Worth it???

[Aaron A Tracy]

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    I must clarify, I am a graduate gemologist, would I take it again?
    Yes, the GG is very important and I loved the things that I was able
    to learn, I did not take the Graduate Jeweler. 

    Would I do that part? No, most of the things that they teach there
    are pretty basic and I have never been impressed with anyone who
    finished that part of the course, I know it is the foundation
    principals that they teach, but those who I have spoken with and
    worked with did not know even what I would consider the basics for
    any type of real work, okay, they could manufacture a bezel and set a
    couple of stones, but did not understand alloys, why some metals are
    better than others for various things and could not identify platinum
    from silver. Costing of materials and time is completely overlooked,
    and some techniques are kinda well, lame. I have seen some of the
    artwork that the design classes do also, they think like artists and
    some have no idea why their designs will not work with 22 gauge metal
    trying to burnish set a 8mm deep stone. 

    I learned from some of the best in Seattle, and a lot at that (thank
    you Peter Rowe) and how to make really cool things and get great
    results from research, practice and notes. I think that the Graduate
    Jeweler program at GIA is just a starting block for those who have
    no knowledge of the industry, if you know how to solder, polish and
    draw, go to Alan Revere in San Francisco, his Intensive Jeweler
    looked really good and his school had top notch equipment. 

Aaron A Tracy
Graduate Gemologist


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