Why This Seminar?
The Continuing Education Recognition Program has a new name - GEM ACCESS. This unique, self-paced program continues to offer qualifying alumni access to exclusive content from GIA researchers on the latest knowledge, research and trends, plus the most recent course materials we are teaching current students.
How Does it Work?
All modules are delivered online through Blackboard
Complete all module activities by December 31 and score 75% or better on each one
Program Highlights
Eight interactive modules (one per month, February through September) via GIA’s online platform, featuring video, stunning photography, and online lectures from experts in gemology.
Access to the latest GIA eLearning courses materials including Diamond Essentials, Colored Stone Essentials, Diamonds & Diamond Grading, Colored Stones, and Gem Identification.
Explore a rich multimedia library of hundreds of exclusive videos including 15 years of past program topics.
- Topic of Interest
- Additional Offerings
- Ways to Learn
- Live Online | Self-Paced - 8 Modules Yearly
- Cost
- $250 USD
- Level of Experience
- Any alumni who hold a GIA Graduate Gemologist® or Gemologist Diploma
- How to Register
- Click on the Register Now button and create an account on the GIA Alumni Collective Community
2022 Assignment Modules
Assignment 1: Does Climate Change Matter to the Jewelry Industry?
Worsening weather conditions, longer wildfire seasons, rising sea levels, the bleaching of coral reefs. Certainly, climate change and its impacts concern us all, but how does it relate to the jewelry industry and what can the industry do about it? Join Patricia Syvrud, MBA, GIA GG, and Program Manager for the University of Delaware's Gerard J. Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub for a discussion on how climate change affects the jewelry industry and what young consumers expect from the businesses they frequent.

Assignment 2: Interesting Discoveries from the GIA Laboratory
As the foremost authority in gemology, GIA laboratories encounter a multitude of gems, ranging from very common to unusual and unique. Over the years, GIA scientists have gained insight into formation, treatments, and phenomenal gems by carefully studying these submissions, some of which have revealed exciting surprises. Join Dr. Sally Magaña, senior manager of diamond identification, and Nicole Ahline, senior staff gemologist, as they take a look at some of the rarest, most captivating specimens seen by the laboratories to date.
The next assignment will be available in April 2022

Assignment 3: Feldman Custom Knives
Throughout history, humans have used rare metals, gems, and minerals to elevate the most utilitarian objects into works of art. At the 2022 Tucson Gem and Mineral show, a group from GIA had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Loren Feldman. Mr. Feldman crafts knives that are highly valued by collectors because of his incorporation of unique and rare materials. Join us for a look at these beautiful objets d’art as well as an examination of some of the distinctive minerals he uses to fabricate them.
The next assignment will be available in May 2022

Past Assignments
2021
Natural Blue Diamonds
Montana Sapphires
Rubies
Engagement Rings
Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection
Melee Diamonds
Superstitions Surrounding Gems and Jewelry
Minerals Discovered and Named at GIA
2020
Geographic Origin Determination
GIA Field Gemology
Trapiche Gems
Interview with Susan Wheeler
Jewelry Manufacturing in Russia
Shells & Pearls
Advanced Analytical Equipment
Nigerian Gems
2019
Stuart Robertson: Observations on the Colored Stone Market
Ruby Mining in Myanmar
New from Tucson 2019
Perspectives on Responsible Sourcing and Fair Trade
Myanmar Gems Emporium
Superdeep Diamonds
Peridot from Myanmar
Russian Demantoid
2018
Greenland Ruby Mining
Dreher Animal Carvings
Edward Boehm: Tucson 2018
News From Tucson 2018
Ethiopian Emerald
Ethiopian Sapphires
Ethiopian Opal
Debbie Hiss: Selling Lab Grown Diamonds
2017
Natural American Freshwater Pearls
Diamond Jewelry Manufacturing in India
Getting the Most from Diamond Rough
Diamond Manufacturing Today
Mining Tanzanite
Natural Saltwater Pearls
Emeralds from Afghanistan
A Gem Cutter’s Perspective