Professional Gemmology Program – Vancouver
The CGA is ecstatic to offer our Professional Gemmology Courses in Vancouver. Please see our current offerings below with more to come in the new year.
The CGA’s professional gemmology program offers a guided exploration of the wonderful world of gems while equipping students with an in-depth understanding of the science of gemmology and how it applies to all aspects of the gem and jewellery trade. Use the links below to navigate through the topics.
For classes in Vancouver the course notes and lab manual can now be ordered for an extra fee in both Chinese Traditional or Chinese Simplified upon request.
Professional Gemmology Program Delivery Options
The CGA’s professional gemmology program is available in full-time or two-level part-time options as shown below.
| Program | # Weeks | # Hours | Tuition | Books | Instuments | Expendable Supplies |
| Accelerated Professional Gemmology | 14 | 282 | $9000 | TBA | $760 | $75 |
| Gemmology Basics Level 1 Theory & Lab Course | 6 | 72 | $3590 | $112.50 | $770.30 | $0.00 |
| Gemmology Intermediate Level 2 Theory & lab course | 12 | 72 | $3590 | $112.50 | $770.30 | $0.00 |
| Gemmology Diploma Level 3 Theory & Lab course | 12 | 72 | $3590 | $112.50 | $771.87 | $0.00 |
| Exam Prep Level 4 Theory & Lab course | 4 | 28 |
Class Dates
Accelerated Professional Gemmology
May 26, 2025 – August 23, 2025
Professional Gemmology ( Diploma Year Only)
TBA – 2025
Preliminary Gemmology Level 1 – Theory Zoom & In-person Lab Course
TBA – 2025
Gemmology Intermediate Level 2 – Theory Zoom & In-person Lab Course
TBA – 2025
Diploma Level Gemmology Level 3 – Theory Zoom & In-person Lab Course
February 11, 2025 – May 10, 2025
Exam Prep Level 4 – Theory Zoom & In-person Lab course
May 20, 2025 – June 14, 2025
Accelerated Professional Gemmology (full-time daytime option)
Become a qualified gemmologist in just 4 months. This is the most efficient option for those needing to put their training into action as soon as possible.
Duration: 282 Hours over 14 weeks
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with a 1 hr lunch
Class Delivery: Classes will be held in person on the Vancouver campus.
Schedule: May 26, 2025 – August 23, 2025
Download CGA Accelerated Professional Gemmology – BC Form Here
Course Content:
- The nature of gems
- Fundamental scientific concepts applicable to gem studies
- Crystallography & crystalline substance
- Physical properties of gems, including hardness, specific gravity, cleavage & fracture
- Optics and optical properties of gems, including the nature of light, colour, polarization of light, dichroism, refraction, birefringence, lustre, dispersion, spectra
- How to use small gemmological instruments (loupe, dichroscope, Chelsea filter)
- Introduction to synthetic and imitation gemstones
- Gem cutting and cut styles (including diamond)
- Introduction to gem species (including non-mineral gems) – nature & properties
- Chemistry & Atomic Structure of Minerals
- Colour, Refraction & Birefringence in Gems
- The Refractometer and Other Methods of Estimating the R.I. of Gemstones
- Dispersion & Special Effects Detected in Gemstones, The Gemmological Microscope
- X-Rays & Luminescence
- The Spectroscope
- Advanced Crystallography
- Methods of Producing Synthetic Gem Materials
- Synthetic Diamond & Diamond Simulants
- Imitations & Gemstone Enhancements
- Mineralogy and Geology
- Gem Species
- Non-Mineral Gems
Professional Gemmology (Diploma Year)
Duration: 15 Weeks
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Theory via Zoom) 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Saturdays (Practical Lab) 10:00 am to 1:00 pm & 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Class Delivery: Classes will be held live and interactive via Zoom with all lab course held in person at the Vancouver classroom.
Schedule: TBA
Admission Requirements: Gemmology Basics (First Year) or Jewellery Students from VCC
Download CGA Professional Gemmology (Diploma Year) – BC Form Here
Course Content:
- Chemistry & Atomic Structure of Minerals
- Colour, Refraction & Birefringence in Gems
- The Refractometer and Other Methods of Estimating the R.I. of Gemstones
- Dispersion & Special Effects Detected in Gemstones, The Gemmological Microscope
- X-Rays & Luminescence
- The Spectroscope
- Advanced Crystallography
- Methods of Producing Synthetic Gem Materials
- Synthetic Diamond & Diamond Simulants
- Imitations & Gemstone Enhancements
- Mineralogy and Geology
- Gem Species
- Non-Mineral Gems
Preliminary Gemmology Level 1 – Interactive Zoom Theory & In-person Lab Course
Schedule: TBA – 2025
Time: 2 nights a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm (PST) & Lab on Saturdays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm PST
Fees: $4,472.80 (includes one – time cost of toolkit and books).
Place: Classes held over Live and Interactive Zoom and in-person Lab
Participants will receive a Statement of Completion afterward
The sessions will be live and interactive over zoom. Discussions and Q&As are encouraged for a more interactive learning.
Gemmology is the fascinating study of all types of gem materials – natural, lab grown and imitation. Gems come from every corner of the planet and touch almost every culture in the world. Start your career in gemmology! Opt for our Gemmology Basics Level 1 (6 Weeks), which is, the first of 4 segments to work towards your Gemmology credentials. Each segment covers theory live and interactive over Zoom and in-person lab classes with all 4 segments completed in approximately 32 weeks.
Download CGA Gemmology Basics Course Form
To see the course syllabus for Level 1 please click here.
Level 2 – Gemmology Intermediate
Schedule: TBA – 2025
Time: 1 night a week on Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm (PST) & Lab on Saturdays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm PST
Fees: $4,472.80 (includes one time cost of toolkit and books)
Fees: $3,590.00 (does not include one time cost of toolkit and books)
Place: Classes held over Live and Interactive Zoom and in-person Lab. Saturday dates to be announced in class.
Participants will receive a Statement of Completion afterward
Download CGA Gemmology Intermediate Level Course Form
Level 3 – Diploma Level Gemmology
Schedule: February 11, 2025 – May 10, 2025
Time: 1 night a week on Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm (PST) & Lab on Saturdays 10:00 am to 5:00 pm PST
Fees: $4,474.37 (includes one time cost of toolkit and books)
Fees: $3,590.00 (does not include one time cost of toolkit and books)
Place: Classes held over Live and Interactive Zoom and in-person Lab. Saturday dates to be announced in class.
Participants will receive a Statement of Completion afterward
Download CGA Gemmology Diploma Level Course Form
Level 4 – Exam Prep Level
Schedule: May 20, 2025 – June 14, 2025
Time: 1 night a week on Tuesdays 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm (PST) & Lab on Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm PST
Fees: TBA (includes one time cost of toolkit and books)
Fees: TBA (does not include one time cost of toolkit and books)
Place: Classes held over Live and Interactive Zoom and in-person Lab. Saturday dates to be announced in class.
Participants will receive a Statement of Completion afterward
Tax Receipts
Students enrolled in these programs receive T2202A Tuition, Education, and Textbook Amounts Certificates in February of each year for income tax deduction purposes.