how to become a gemologist
in the field of gemology there are many career opportunities some of the most common include appraisers retail associates lab gemologists and jewelry designers however it can be tough to break into these fields most require at least some formal training in general here are the steps you should follow if you want to break into a career in the field of gemology as a professional gemologist there are a number of different careers you can pursue before you can figure out the right educational path you must first decide what area of gemology you want to pursue you might consider reading about different career paths or speaking to people that already work in these professions any profession should utilize or enhance your current skills the most general job requirements for a gemologist are being detail oriented and having good interpersonal skills hand eye coordination and finger dexterity in addition being a good salesperson may make you particularly successful in a retail outlet or as a gemstone wholesaler if you are creative or have a special interest in fashion pursuing a career as a gemstone designer might be a good fit finally if you are very meticulous or pay close attention to detail working as an appraiser or as someone who repairs jewelry might be a good fit for you it s important to keep in mind the salary educational requirements and job availability of the different professional opportunities within the field of gemology before you decide on any particular career ask yourself these questions what are my salary requirements am i willing to relocate for a job will i be happy working retail hours or would i prefer a more traditional 9 to 5 job your next step is matching your desired career path with a gemology school while some jobs in gemology will require you to obtain a diploma there are some areas of gemology that will only require you to obtain a certification it is important to do the proper research to make sure you know what type of education your desired profession requires gemology schools usually offer a wide range of courses however it is important that you make sure the school you are looking at offers the program you are interested in especially if it requires specialized courses most professions in gemology require you to receive your diploma from an accredited gemology school similar to enrolling in a traditional college you ll need to make sure you complete all the necessary paperwork a diploma from an accredited gemology school will give you the credential you need to work in jewelry stores jewelry manufacturing and gemological laboratories you ll learn about the analysis grading buying selling and pricing of gems and precious metals some jobs will only require you to have a certification these programs focus more on practical training and less on academic coursework whether you decide to enroll in a diploma program or a certificate program you ll need to make sure that you take the specific courses that are appropriate for your program for a diploma program you will be required to take a comprehensive final exam this is not required for certificate programs because most employers want their gemology employees to have at least a year of on the job training before hiring them in full time positions an apprenticeship is a good next step after completing a diploma or a certificate program as an apprentice you will get the crucial hands on experience necessary for finding a job your school may even have a formalized apprenticeship program once you ve completed your apprenticeship it s likely they may offer you a full time position it s advisable to speak with your manager at your apprenticeship before you finish the position to discuss any possible opportunities however in order to be considered for full time employment you must have shown that you are reliable trustworthy and hard working throughout your apprenticeship your school will typically hold career fairs throughout the year for those looking for jobs in the field these events are free for anyone to attend not just students these fairs are a great opportunity to network so make sure you bring multiple copies of your resume networking with people in your industry is a great way to get a job because they often have heard of open positions or are willing to refer you to their friends and co workers about job opportunities aside from networking in person using social media sites like linkedin and facebook is a good way to connect with people in your field there are also professional gemologist organizations such as the american gem society that you can join in order to meet other gemologists 