THE DIAMOND AND DIAMOND GRADING COURSE

The correspondence course consists of two parts. The theory is done by correspondence where the student studies the manual and returns each of the 9 questionnaires to the College for marking. On completion of the nine sections the student then does a 5-day practical at the College’s premises in Johannesburg and Cape Town. During the 5 day practical the student will examine and grade up to 120 diamonds.

1. Course objective

To give the student a comprehensive background and knowledge of diamonds and diamond grading from formation through to the pricing of the polished gem, with an emphasis on the practical grading of colour, purity and proportions using the laboratory equipment and the accessories provided in the E.G.L. equipment pouch.

2. Course outline

• Diamond crystallography and formation
• Mining - De Beers and the DTC
• Famous diamonds and famous people in diamonds
• History and stages of diamond polishing
• Tools used in the trade
• Grading and identification - proportion grading - weight estimations - colour grading - plotting and clarity grading - finish analysis
• Diamond simulants and fracture filling
• Pricing of the polished gem using the Rappaport price list.

3. Course design

The course has been designed in such a way that it can be done by correspondence, terminating with a 5 day practical. The E.G.L. College of Gemology will send you the course manual, which comprises nine sections of the theoretical study. At the end of each section there is a questionnaire, which you must complete and send back to the College for marking. On successful completion of the nine sections, application to do the five-day practical segment is made through the college. During these five days you will be given the opportunity to examine up to 120 stones and practice the knowledge you obtained from the theoretical course. The course concludes with a practical and theory examination, the pass mark both being 80 %.

4. Course fee

Johannesburg: the course fee is R8 151 including VAT. A 75% deposit is required to receive the manual and the balance must be paid before commencement of the practical segment of the course.

Practicals in other centers: the course fee is R9 508 including VAT. and courier costs of course material where applicable. A 75% deposit is required to receive the manual and the balance must be paid before commencement of the practical segment of the course. A discount may be negotiated. A maximum period of six months is allowed for completion of the course and the fees are neither refundable nor transferable.

5. Equipment- Included in the course fee

The equipment pouch provided includes the following: - medium sized grading tweezers - 10x magnification loupe - Loupe string - lint free cloth - colour boats - scoop

6. Diploma

After passing both the theoretical and practical examination with a minimum mark of 80% or higher, you will receive a certificate stating that you have completed and passed the Diamonds and Diamond Grading course at the E.G.L. College of Gemology within the required standards.

7. Enrolment

Please contact our Johannesburg and Cape Town offices.

Johannesburg :
Tel: (011) 334 - 4527/8,
Fax: (011) 334 - 2193,
E-mail: alan@egl.co.za

Cape Town:
Tel: (021) 419 - 8828

Click Here to Download the Course Application Form