The Gemological Institute of America’s learning facility in Beijing, China, will grant its first Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diplomas, following the conclusion of an upcoming Diamond Grading Extension class for Distance Education students. Many students are also preparing for their 20-stone exam as part of the Colored Stones course in the G.G. program.

“China is a rapidly growing jewelry market, and it has many diamond and colored stone cutting factories and jewelry manufacturing companies, all looking for trained gemologists,” said GIA Director of Global Education Seung-Hae Moon. “In addition, hundreds of upscale jewelry retail firms now operate in malls throughout China, and they are also looking to hire employees trained in gems and jewelry. Graduates from GIA China have a bright job market ahead of them.”

The Diamond Grading Extension class in Beijing is scheduled Nov. 24-28 and will be taught in Mandarin by Manager of GIA Taiwan Vivian Wong. During that same week, Wong will conduct a Student Lab each evening for those enrolled in the Colored Stone program. She will also administer the 20-stone exam.

GIA China, which opened in 2001, has trained more than 100 persons in the Diamonds program via Distance Education. According to Moon, many of these students are on their way to earning the G.G. diploma. In addition to Beijing, Extension classes in Diamond Grading, Gem Identification, and Colored Stone Grading are also taught in Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information call 86 10 8427 5411 or e-mail ngtc_edu@yahoo.com.cn.

JCK