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Is it Worth Buying a GG Diploma Before Getting the "Real World" Experience?
February 19, 2007
Food for thought…GIA needs to consider a rigorous system for admission or at the very least add to their current curriculum. Allowing for more qualified gemologists then the quantity of gemologists because these gemologists are the one's who will be running/owning jewelry stores in the future.
One afternoon a customer came into the store with a colorless gemstone, and wanted to know if the stone was a diamond so that she could purchase another to make a pair of studs. The salesperson, a Graduate Gemologist, took the stone and placed it in a pair of tweezers, pulled out her loupe, and started talking about the gemstone. “Mrs. Jones, I see an inclusion on the table, notice the behavior of light is the same in all crystal directions, but I should perform a SG to make sure that it is 3.52 as well as some other tests." The sales associate just graduated from GIA, and learned that these characteristics are ones that point to a natural diamond. Proud of herself, she spent a great deal of time informing the customer about all of the above...until the customer interrupted and said, “Thank You,” and walked out.
The problem was simple. The customer just wanted to know if the stone was a real diamond so she could match it with another diamond and gain a pair of studs. Nothing more. Mrs. Jones didn’t care about the gemological aspects of why or how the answers were obtained.
The sales associate should’ve answered, “Yes…and…yes...and then sell the customer a matching diamond.
Proving a cliché come true, it may in fact take experience to get experience—and even more time to learn how to use or not use that knowledge! Then why do GG’s expect a larger salary? Even in the corporate world, no one is willing to pay big money to someone with a whole lot of technical knowledge but little experience. For example, to even be considered for admission to a MBA program, universities require a minimum of 3-5 years of real world experience. Then, Why does GIA allow students without experience in the “real world” of retail jewelry to pursue the highest degree in gemology?
GIA is the most recognized gemological credential in the Unites States. GIA offers an array of services along with on-line teaching and a great deal of assistance with hands-on knowledge by sending out specimens for grading. I can’t say enough wonderful things about my experience at GIA in Carlsbad, CA. I am very proud of my GG, though the classes did not incorporate selling tactics and the technical knowledge learned is of limited use in a retail setting. In my opinion, GIA does not teach enough theory. Leaving some GG’s without a firm foundation in some areas.
Another draw back to the GG program is the over reliance on expensive gemological equipment. In a retail setting, few have the money to spend on such expensive gemological equipment and the equipment isn't going to sell a diamond...it's you.
Improvements in our industry need to be made and they have to begin from the top…the gemological schools students are being admitted into and receiving degrees from.
Posted by Shanu Singh Guliani on February 19, 2007 | Comments (4)
