Professional Gemmology Program – Toronto

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 Toronto 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# HoursTuitionBooksInstrumentsExpendable Supplies
Full-time Daytime
Accelerated Professional Gemmology16310$9000.00$102.60TBATBA
Gemmology Basics - Toronto - Year 13590TBA$102.60TBATBA
Professional Gemmology - Toronto - Year 235165TBA$0.00$0.00TBA

Class Dates

Accelerated Professional Gemmology
August 26 – December 11, 2024

Gemmology Basics
September 17, 2024 – May 20, 2025

Professional Gemmology
September 16, 2024 – May 22, 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: 310 Hours over 16 weeks
Deposit with registration: $500
Registration forms: visit forms page
Admission Requirements: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
Passing Grade: 67%
Credential Awarded: Career College Accelerated Professional Gemmology certificate for successful completion.

  • students may elect to write the CGA Fellowship examinations upon successful completion

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

Part-time Evening Option

The full professional gemmology program is divided into two levels that must be completed sequentially, each taking roughly eight months.

Gemmology Basics ( First Year)

Duration: 90 Hours over 35 Weeks.
Deposit with registration: $500
Registration forms: visit forms page – New Registration Form Coming Soon
Admission Requirements: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent (read more)
Passing Grade: 67%
Credential Awarded: Career College Gemmology Basics certificate for successful completion.

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

For more information on dates and pricing for the province of Alberta to come soon.  Please check back soon.

Professional Gemmology (Second Year)

Duration: Hours Under Review
Deposit with registration: $500
Registration forms: visit forms page – New Registration Form Coming Soon
Admission Requirements: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent (read more)
Passing Grade: 67%
Credential Awarded: Career College Professional Gemmology certificate for successful completion.

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

More About Admission Requirements

The following are considered equivalent to an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD):

  1. A secondary school graduation diploma from any other Canadian province or territory or from the United States.
  2. A General Education Development (GED) certificate issued by a Canadian province or territory or from the United States.
  3. A transcript, diploma or certificate from another country, assessed at an Ontario OSSD level by a recognized assessment service.  This is an assessment you are responsible for getting and paying for.
  4. A Canadian post secondary diploma or degree.
  5. A non-Canadian post secondary diploma or degree that has been assessed as equivalent to a Canadian post secondary diploma or degree by a recognized assessment service. This is an assessment you are responsible for getting and paying for.
  6. A certificate of completion for an Ontario academic upgrading program that is accepted by an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology for entry into an Ontario post secondary program (Ontario Basic Skills Level IV, Basic Training and Skills Development Level IV).
  7. A Certificate of Apprenticeship or Certificate of Qualification in any trade from Ontario or other Canadian jurisdiction.

Applicants who cannot provide credentials meeting any of the above-listed requirements have the option to complete and pass a mature student test. The CGA uses the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam. Please phone the office for details.

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.

 

The Canadian Gemmological Association is registered as a Career College under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
The programs listed on this page are approved as vocational programs under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005