With its Graduate Gemologist (GG) program and a Jewelry Design class being launched in August 2011, in Shanghai, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is conducting the second batch of this course at the School of Media Design at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University campus beginning February 27, 2012. Since the first GG program in Shanghai, the program’s enrollees have completed the Graduate Diamonds diploma program and have been working on the Colored Stones diploma program, after which they would obtain a GG at a graduation ceremony on January. 20, 2012.

The six-month GG program and nine-week Jewelry Design program is conducted in Mandarin Chinese by seasoned GIA Taiwan instructors. Subjects in the GG course includes how the 4Cs (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) relate to the value of diamonds; grade diamonds in the D-Z color range; equipments used to grade and identify gemstones; and detect synthetics, treatments, simulants and fracture-filled diamonds. The Jewelry Design course teaches professional design drawings and an understanding of design theory and artistry.

“We are honored to continue our role in fostering students in the Shanghai community through our educational services,” said Seung-Hae Moon, managing director of GIA Asia Pacific Education. “The curriculum we provide offers the in-depth, practical and relevant gemological knowledge needed for a successful career within the gem and jewelry industry.”