Is it Worth Buying a GG Diploma Before Getting the "Real World" Experience?
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.
robynahawk commented:
If you are hired in a retail setting showing only a GG on your
resume' I feel that it is the Retail Store's responsibility to
provide sales training - just as they train their sales staff.
Rhonda Rivera commented:
Not everyone who goes to GIA attends with the intention of going
into retail sales....that's the first real problem with your post.
I personally have little patience for learning how to "sell"
jewelry - and in fact, there's a program at GIA for that very
thing. In my own case, I'm attending with the intention of becoming
a private practice appraiser. To require "real world" experience
before getting my GG would be ridiculous - because in order to get
practice as an appraiser - I need the practical knowledge that the
GIA provides. The GIA program has PLENTY of flaws - in particular
I'm speaking of their distance "education" program...but trying to
put the GG into a box that truly only fits those going into retail
sales or customer service isn't the answer. Ultimately, it's the
employers decision as to whom they hire, and how they are trained
in their position. Just as going to a 4 year university cannot
prepare a student for the real world (nor is it expected to) - GIA
cannot POSSIBLY be responsible to do so for it's graduates.
michael abushakra, GJG commented:
many students @ gia are young, therefore when they graduate they
are young and make young mistakes. i started gia at 19 and finished
at 20, it gave me all of the tools to get my first job, where i
made some of the mistakes you mentioned. i only made the mistakes
once and learned from them, i am now 5 years out of school, and
making a strong living as a very talented jeweler. my education at
gia is responsible for every position i have had since graduating,
without it i would've not received any of this experience. i
strongly disagree with your view on this and believe that gia can
only educate in the art of jewelery and gemology what u do with it
is up you and if you dont work on building a strong resume after
graduating you will not succeed no mater what kind of degree you
have!
Ken Goldwasser commented:
Shanu, You could not be more on point. Perhaps a unit on customer
service in the GG cirriculum is in order...
