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Since time immemorial gems have remained "neighbor's envy and owner's pride". The ornaments have been exotic, unequalled and invaluable articles of personal glory. They are considered symbols of wealth, talismans, adornments of gods, kings and the rich. They have also been revered for their magical powers as well. There are very few substances which pack so much value in such little sizes. And, with changing fashion and taste, men and women today, are steadily moving away from conventional styles of adornment and ornamentation and gradually adopting modern patterns better suited to their busy life styles. According to estimates, 60 percent by value, 82 percent by volume and 95 percent of the cut and polished diamonds get processed in India. Also considering the fact that India is the largest consumer of gold in the world and has excellent infrastructure for diamond cutting, Gemology can prove to be a very lucrative and satisfying career.

Gemology as a subject of study deals with gemstones. The practitioners i.e., gemologists identify, sort out and grade these stones. Gemology is concerned with the scientific study of gems and deals with the occurrence, physical properties and identification of natural gems. It is of great importance to traders, dealers and anyone who is fascinated appreciates gems for their beauty and ornamental value.

To be eligible for admission into a Gemology course, you must have completed 10+2 (any stream) or graduation. The duration of the courses vary but they are of short terms. A good command over English is a must if you want to progress in this field because not only it gives an edge during communication with customers but also, best of the books on the subject are in English.

Gemology course mainly consists of gem's identification and colouring, metal concepts drawing techniques, metallurgical processes, elements of fashion, design methodology, computer aided designing, ornament designing, ornament making and traditional and modern processes with specialization in jewellery designing. Gemologists identify, sort and grade gemstones in order to advise jewellers/ jewellery designs regarding various properties of gems and the suitability of particular gemstones in different metals and settings. Thus, the functions of a Gemologist include identification, measurement of weights, establishment of size and all other such aspects of various precious stones. You can specialize as a gem grinder, gem polisher, gem assorter, engraver, jewellery setter, researcher and scientist. You can also be involved in teaching and training people with relevant qualification and adequate experience.

For becoming a successful Gemologist you should have a sense of design and appreciation of quality. Excellent powers of observation, attention to detail, precision, ability to concentrate, initiative, an objective approach and a tremendous sense of responsibility are some of the other qualities, which will make your progress in this area, fast and smooth. Good hand-eye coordination, patience and concentration are required in great measures because the work is precise and delicate in nature.

It is a fact that Indian gem cutters and craftsmen are respected and held in high regard all over the world. Also, Government's liberalization policy has opened up a whole new world of opportunities in India and abroad. Within India, Jaipur (Rajasthan) is among the world's largest gem cutting centers. Other emerging centers include Delhi, Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad. Most of the jewellery export houses and other centers located in these cities offer good positions to those with training in the latest trends and developments in this field. With the entry of branded gems and jewellery as well as the increased interest in newer designs and westernized styles, job opportunities have increased manifolds. If you can satisfy market needs and continue to create new things, you can carve a niche for yourself as a self- employed entrepreneur.

Though also, keeping pace with the changing times, it will take time before it adversely affects the employment of lower level skilled workers. But automation will hardly have much impact on the creative and highly skilled positions.

Employment is not at all problem for skilled workers. The salaries vary depending on the type of the job you are doing. Creative jobs generally fetch you starting salary of Rs. 15,000 per month. People involved in this business can also be retailers, wholesalers of gems and jewellery shop, where income levels vary from one extreme to another.

Owing to the availability of cheap labour, it is estimated that nine out of every ten diamonds are cut in India. Further, employment opportunities should be excellent as jewellery sales are increasing. Due to the discovery and pilferage of imitations of diamonds and synthetic gems, the field is still evolving. The International Gemological Institute (IGI), the largest independent gem certification and appraisal institute with gemological laboratories in Antwerp (Belgium), New York (USA) and Bangkok (Thailand), has set up shop in Mumbai in recognition of India's immense potential in this field. Many other gemological institutes have been eyeing India in the recent past.

NIFT Campus, near Gulmohar Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.

Tata Mills, Parel, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata (West Bengal)

GIDC Electronic Estate, Gandhinagar (Gujarat)

Chenatha Bhavan, Nampally, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)

Co- optex Building, Egmore Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Gemstones Artisans Training School Jhalana Mahal, Jaipur (Rajasthan)

Gemology Institute of India, 29, Gurukul Chambers, Mumbadevi Road, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Indian Gemological Institute, Nirmal Towers, 10th Floor, 26, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi

St. Xavier's College, Geology Department, 5 Mahapalika Marg, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

The Jasami Department of Jewellery Design & Manufacture, SNDT University Campus, Santa Cruz, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Small Industries Service Institute, 65/1 GST Road, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Indian Diamond Institute, katargam, GIDC, Sumul Dairy Road, Surat (Gujarat)

Dr. Dhamambal Government Polytechnic for Women, Canada- Indian Institutional Cooperation Project, Thanamani, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

The Indian Diamond Institute, Gem & Jewellery EPC, Rajasthan Bhavan, Jaipur (Rajasthan)

Vakall's Academy of Jewellery Design, 114, Arun Chambers, Tardeo Road, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

ShriBhaubhai Mafatlal Polytechnic, VileParle W, Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Jaipur (Rajasthan)

Jewellery Design and Training Institute (JDTI), NOIDA (Uttar Pradesh)

National Institute of Design (NID), Paldi, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

International Institute of Fashion Technology, South Extension Part I, New Delhi

Wigan Fashion School, Wigan and Leigh College (India) LTD., Nehru Place, New Delhi.

Institutions & Courses
INSTITUTES & COURSES - Gemology

AALISHA POLYTECHNIC, L-2/47,New Mahavir Nagar, Outer Ring Road, Vikas Puri, New Delhi 110062.

ARCH GEMOLOGY AND JEWELLERY INSITUTE, D-96, Madho Singh Circle, Bani Park, Jaipur (Ph 510861 Website www.archins.org ) offers CAD Courses: JD, Gem Identification, Gem Processing, Gem Testing offers CAD Courses: JD, Gem Identification, Gem Processing, Gem Testing.

COLLEGE BRITANICA, Britanica House-38, Sectoir-32, Institutional Area, Sector 15 Crossing, Nh-8, Gurgaon (Haryana) (Website: www.collegebritanbica.com ) offers degrees & diplomas in jewellery design.

DELHI INSTITUTE OF FASHIONB & TECHNOLOGY, 9,Community Centre, East of Kailash, New Delhi (Ph 26230830, 26230831, 516622451, 25116362) offers 1-year Diploma & 6-month Professional Certificate in Jewellery Designing.

GEMMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF INDIA, 29,Gurukul Chambers, 187-189, Mumbadevi Road, Mumbai 400002 (Ph 23420039 Telefax 23413785 Website www.giionline.com ) offers Diploma courses in Gemmology, JD, Diamond grading & correspondence course in Gemmology.

GEMSTONE ARTISANS TRAINING SCHOOL, Jhalana Mahal, Jaipur 302017 offers Courses in Cutting & Polishing of Diamonds & Coloured stones.

INDIAN DIAMOND INSTITUTE-STARDAR VALLABHBHAI PATEL CENTRE OF JEWELLERY DESIGN & MANUFACTURE, Katargam, GIDC, sumul Dairy Road, Katargam Post Box 508, Surat 395008 (Guj.) (Ph 2480809, 27481822 Fax 0261-2481110 Website www.diamondinstitute.net ) offers following courses:

(1) 3-year Higher Diploma in JD & Mfg., (2) 12-week JD: Computer aided, (3) 8-week Higher JD: Computer-aided, (4) 8-wek Jewellery Casting, (5) 4-week Jewellery Repairing/ Stone Setting/ Refining, (6) 48-week Diploma in Diamond Processing, (7) 20-week Rough Diamound Asortment, (8) 12-week Polished Diamond Grading, (9) 4-week Diamond Grading (International system), (10) 8-week Planning & Marketing (computer aided), (11) 16-week Bruting/Polishing, (12) 16-week Diploma in Gemmology, (13) 8-week Gemstone (Navratna) Identification, (14) 12-wek Colour Gemstone cutting & Polishing. Correspondence courses: (15) 36-week Diploma in Gemmology, (16) 24-week Diploma in Jewellery Casting Techniques, (17) 36-week Diploma in Gem Diamond Identification & Grading. International Programmes: (18) Gemmology Prelim FGA, (19) Gemmology Diploma FGA, (20) Diamond Diploma DGA Out-Bound Programmes: (@) Diamond Identification & Grading, (22) Colour Gemstone Identification

INTERNATIONAL INSTITTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY (IIFT), H.O.: H-12, South Ex, part-I, New Delhi 110049 (ph 124620430,24629370 Fax 24624071) offers Jewellery Designing & Accessory Designing Courses.

INDIAN GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, Nirmal Towers 10th Floor, 26, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110001.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF GEMMOLOGY, 10980, East Park Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL POLYTECHNIC FOR WOMEN, A-3, Sough Extension Part-I, Ring, New Delhi 110049 (Ph 24624049, 24699855, 31062929 Fax 24644500 Website: www.womenpolytechnic.com )

JD INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, Lokayata, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi 110016 offers 12-week course in Jewellery Designing.

JEWELLERY EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL, D-15 Commerce Centre, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034.

JEWELLERY DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, A-89, SECTOR-2, Noida (Ph 95120-2540571/72/73,Fax 2540578 Website: www.jdtiindia.com )offers 1&2-year Jewellery Design & Technology course, 6-month Custom-made Jewellery Manufacturing, 1-year certificate Tableware & Accessories. Delhi branch: F-11, South Extension, Part I, Delhi 110049 (Ph 30941353,30941354, Fax 51646893) offers 3-month Gemmology,45-day diamond Grading, 1-month Jewel CAD & 6-month Comperhensive Jewellery Designing courses. Gurgaon branch: C-021B, DLF Super Mart-I, DLF City, Phase-IV, Gurgan & Technology, 3-month Gemmology, 1-month Jewel CAD and 4-month Basic Jewellery Designing courses.

JEWELLERY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, D-15, Commerce Centre, Tardeo, Mumbai 400034.

JEWELLERY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, Jhandewalan, Flatted Factories Complex, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi 110055.

LISA INSTITUTE OF FASHIONS, M-7 Ashok Vihar-III, Behind L.B. College, Delhi 110052 (Ph27234777 Telefax 27220777 Website: www.lisa-institute.com ).

NIFT, Opp. Gulmohar Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, & Kolkata centres offers one year course in Jewellery Manufacturing.

S.N.D.T. UNIVERSITY (WOMEN COLLEGE), Nathibai Thackersey Road, Mumbai 400020.

SG JHAVERI CENTRE FOR DIAMOND TECHNOLOGY, Irfa, Juhu Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400056, offers course in Diamond Technology.

SHINGHAR INSTITUTE OF GEMOLOGY, Kolkata offers 1-year Residential Program in Gems & Jewellery. Major Courses: Diamond Technology.

SHINGHAR INSTITUTE, Howarach, Kolkata offers 1-year Residential Program in Gems & Jewellwey. Major Courses: Diamonds, Jewellery Design, Jewellery Mfg., Gemstones Grading, Jewellery Photography.