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- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 12 years ago by Shawnna Pracejus.
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November 18, 2011 at 2:40 am #4718Shawnna PracejusParticipant
Hi everyone,
I am currently studying gem I.D. with the G.I.A. I am a distance learning student.
I have the diamond grading as well as colored stone grading diploma.I also finished the accredited jewelry professional course. I am TOTALLY alone in this endeavor. Nobody understands why I want to do this. I’m here for a little moral support as well as tech support.
November 21, 2011 at 9:11 pm #5101deep_blueParticipantHello in Canada,
There are many of us in Canada who understand! We are gemmologists who belong to the Canadian Gemmological Association.The CGA teaches a professional gemmology program leading to a FCGmA (Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Assocaition). They also offer a correspondence course. Correspondence for gemmology is tough.
Good Luck and Cheers.
December 6, 2012 at 8:16 pm #5127Shawnna PracejusParticipantThanks Deep_Blue.
Since my last post, I’ve slugged my way through the entire Gem identification coarse. I finally qualified to take the final exam which is a 20 stone I.D.
On the first 4 attempts, I got all the I.D.s correct but made one wrong variety call. As you know, a passing score is 100%.
On the 5th attempt, I wrongly identified a YAG as a CZ. (It was not your typical YAG).
It is really difficult taking these exams at home without all the proper lab equipment assembled.
I can’t afford to just fly off to California and take the exam in the student workroom.
Before I’m allowed to try the final again, I must first study 100+ stones at home and score 100% on every worksheet. I’m fine with doing that, except I’m leaving for 6 months overseas with my husband on accout of his job. There are no GIA workrooms where we are going. I’m worried that I’ll lose my momentum and be very rusty when I return home.
I’m completely humiliated. I feel that my friends and family think I’m an imbecile for not being able to pass a simple test. My husband is annoyed that I’m spending so much of his money on this “personal enrichment” coarse. The FedEx shipping fees alone have been astronomical.
I’m aware of the CGA. I think the reason I chose GIA instead was because of a personal recommendation by a G.G. and because I did not want to write the term paper requirement. I struggle with ADD and dyslexia. I also tend to yammer on….sorry. I just feel so defeated. I also just found out my best friend has 2 months to live. Could it be worse? Yes. My husband and I must first fly to his dying father’s bedside before we leave the continent. Who else is having a lousy Christmas?
~S
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