Setting the Standard for Excellence

Welcome to the Canadian Gemmological Association, Canada's professional organization for the practice of gemmology.
This website contains information about our organization,
including information on membership, products, meeting times, annual Gem Conferences and more.

Books, literature and a full range of gemmology equipment.

CGA 50th Anniversary

Photographs of the 50th Anniversary

Gem Conference and Graduation are

available for purchase on the CGA

e-Store. CD's are and include your

choice of 2 high resolution electronic

reproductions.

General Interest

Courses for persons who want to learn more about gems without undertaking professional training.

Learn More

Advanced Courses

The CGA's advanced courses are designed for trade professionals who have a professional gemmology diploma or are current gemmology students.

Learn More

Professional Courses

The CGA offers the Gemmology Accelerated Program (daytime), and its part-time (evening) and distance education equivalents, all leading to the internationally recognized Diploma in Gemmology, and Fellowship (FCGmA) with the CGA.
Learn More

Trivia Night Teaser

Test your knowledge of gems and gem trivia by trying our interactive quiz.
Thank you to Gem Trivia Night Quizmaster and former Director of Education, Anita Beardwood for contributing the questions.

Go to Online Quiz

Please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail at:

Phone: 1-877-244-3090 (toll free) or 416-785-0962 -
Mon thru Fri, 9:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Time Zone

Fax: 416-785-9043

e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mailing Address:
Canadian Gemmological Association
1767 Avenue Road
Toronto, Ontario M5M 3Y8

September 2010 - Monthly Meeting

When: Wednesday September 15, 2010 at 7:30 P.M.

Where: CGA, 1767 Avenue Rd. Toronto

Topic: Trademarks & Hallmarks
Speaker: Duncan Parker

All members, students and guests are welcome to our September monthly meeting to hear a presentation by CGA President Duncan Parker on 'Trademarks and Hallmarks'. Join us for an informative meeting with coffee and camaraderie.

October 2010 - Monthly Meeting

CGA Graduation Dinner Ceremony and Annual General Meeting

When: Wednesday October 20, 2010 at 6:30 pm

Where: The Chef's House. George Brown College,
215 King Street East, Toronto

Guest Speaker: Bhushan Vora, Chairman, Diamond Bourse of Canada

All members, graduates, students and guests are invited to attend our Graduation Dinner and Awards Ceremony and our Annual General meeting. Tickets are limited so please reserve your seats early! Ticket prices for graduates and students is only $35.00 and member and guest ticket price is $42.00

The world renowned 'Chef's House' Restaurant of George Brown College is reserved for this CGA event and will be open at 6:00 pm (cash bar). The annual general meeting will start at 6:30 and dinner service will be starting at 7:15 pm with our graduates being honoured with their certificates, diplomas, fellowships and awards at 8:00 pm. Our guest speaker for the evening, Mr. Bhushan Vora, Chairman of the Diamond Bourse of Canada will talk about Canada's first diamond bourse right here in Toronto.

CGA 21st Annual Conference

Save the date! Saturday September 25th and Sunday September 26th, 2010.

The CGA's 21st Annual Gem Conference will be held in Montreal this year. The Montreal School of Gemmology (EGM) is honoured to host the 2010 CGA Gem Conference. Please join us for a Gala dinner Saturday evening as we celebrate the CGA's continuing dedication to excellence in gemmological education and mark the 15th anniversary of the Montreal School of Gemmology.

Sunday's program of lectures and demonstrations will include a variety of topics from diamonds to current gem treatments. Location and registration details will be posted soon along with speaker information and suggested hotels. Please continue to check the CGA and EGM websites (www.ecoledegemmologie.com) for conference updates.

Looking forward to seeing all CGA members and Graduates in Montreal!

Coloured Gemstone Grading and Valuation Workshop Dates Set

New dates have been set for the next Coloured Gemstone Grading and Valuation workshop taught by Helmut Koenig at the CGA office on Avenue Road in Toronto. The next sessions will be held April 16-18 and October 1-3. For further information regarding the course and registration, visit our Advanced Courses page.

CGA Gemmology Correspondence Program Approved under PCC Act

Approval for the Canadian Gemmological Association's Gemmology Distance Education program has now been received from the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. At this point, all CGA Gemmology Programs providing vocational training in preparation for the CGA's Diploma in Gemmology and FCGmA Fellowship credentials have been fully approved.

Tutoring of currently enrolled correspondence students in both year 1 and year 2 will now recommence, and new applications for these distance education courses are being accepted.

CGA Gemmology Program Approved Under Ontario Private Career Colleges Act

The Canadian Gemmological Association is pleased to announce that the CGA’s Gemmology Accelerated Program (daytime) has been approved under Ontario’s Private Career Colleges Act. Although the CGA has been teaching gemmology for more than 50 years, and the CGA's FCGmA credentials for professional gemmologist status are recognized worldwide, new regulations in Ontario require that all organizations providing vocational training be registered with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Furthermore, each program must be independently approved. Under the PCC Act, colleges must meet certain standards for their programs, as well as for their advertising, refund policies and instructor qualifications, all in the interests of protecting the student. Recognition by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, an organization independent of the gem trade, is a tribute to the high quality of education offered through our Professional Gemmology Program.

Classes will commence on Monday, February 8, 2010 and run until May 27, 2010. For further information, please see our Courses/Professional Courses/Daytime page.