On Campus Programmes
With the benefit of limited class size and expert personalised instruction, Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) students learn by examining hundreds of stones in a classroom setting. Jewelry Design students receive one-on-one coaching and learn how to create quality jewellery designs.
GIA London has expanded the choice of On Campus and Lab Classes available to study at its campus in central London.
The Unparalleled Experience of Learning On Campus at GIA
Held in the highest esteem all over the world, GIA On Campus programmes attract students from every corner of the globe. From the moment you set foot On Campus, you're immersed in a sophisticated and cosmopolitan environment that mirrors the multicultural nature of the jewellery industry. These are the students you'll sit next to in lecture and collaborate with later in your career. You and your classmates will be united by a common bond of GIA prestige and credibility that will serve you for many decades to come.
Today, GIA graduates fill key positions at Tiffany & Co., Graff, DTC, Cartier, Christie's, and Sotheby's – just to name a few. There's no place better than GIA for making contacts with future jewelry industry leaders.
Integrating Education with Hands-On Experience
Our intensive class curriculum is designed for rapid skill development. No matter what career path you choose, each programme lets you practice and perfect your skills under the supervision of GIA's internationally acclaimed professionals. What's more, in GIA's world-renowned Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) curriculum, you work closely with your instructor and classmates on actual diamonds and gemstones. You test and identify hundreds of stones, including many that are unusual and challenging.
Bottom line: in just a few short months you learn more than some professionals absorb in twenty years! Through extensive practice in a lab-like setting, you develop the ability to take what you learn today and put it to use – in the real world – tomorrow.
Instruction
GIA On Campus instructors are known and respected authorities in their fields. Some have owned and/or managed retail stores. Some are highly-skilled designers and craftsman. Others are experienced diamond graders and coloured stone specialists. Each instructor brings a unique industry perspective to the classroom and provides first-hand insight into the inner workings of the jewellery trade. And the Institute has recently added GIA's School of Business programme to its curricula. Students who want to make their mark in the executive ranks of the jewellery industry come to GIA's School of Business. Here, experienced business professors teach classes that focus specifically on the business of jewellery.
Time
When you study On Campus in London, it can take as little as 6 months to acquire the skills and recognition of a fully qualified jewellery professional. With the benefit of limited class size and personalised instruction, Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) students quickly develop highly valued technical skills in diamond grading and gem identification. In as little as 26 weeks, you graduate with one of the industry's most prestigious designations.
In just a little bit more than 3 months, Jewelry Design students learn how to become respected designers by studying design and CAD/CAM.
Successfully complete any of GIA's diploma programs and you're qualified to take your place among those who proudly belong to the tradition of the world's foremost authority in gemology™ – GIA.
Guest Lecturers
There is no better place than GIA for making contacts with current and future industry leaders. Studying On Campus at GIA gives you the rare opportunity to hear industry leaders share their perspective and experience. Past guest speakers have included (names and titles valid at the time of presentation):
- Jenny Bloy, Jewellery Designer.
- Dermot Dennehy, Director, hmLuxury.
- Richard Digby, Antique Jewellery Specialist.
- Eric Emms, Director, Anchorcert Gemmological Laboratory.
- Yves Frey, Diamond Dealer.
- Martin Fuller, Jewellery Appraiser.
- Stephen Giles, Head of Jewellery, Phillips de Pury & Co.
- Julia Healy, Pearl Dealer.
- Anthony Hirsh, Owner, Hirsh London.
- Alan Jobbins, President, Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
- Lore Kiefert, Director, Coloured Stones Department, SSEF.
- John Koivula, Chief Research Gemologist, GIA GTL.
- Daniela Mascetti, Director, Sotheby's Jewellery.
- Marcus McCallum, Gem Dealer.
- Shane McClure, Director, West Coast Identification Services, GIA GTL.
- Susy Telling, Jewellery Designer.
- Rachelle Valladares, Employment Adviser.
- Robin Walker, Retired DTC Executive.
Class Field Trips
To make your learning experience as rich and varied as possible, we will often organise class field trips for On Campus students. These are a great opportunity to see what happens in the trade and what you can expect once you are out of the classroom environment. They vary in each programme and are dependant on what London has to offer at the time. Previous trade visits and field trips have included:
- DTC - Diamond Trading Company
- Goldsmiths' Hall
- M. Vainer Ltd - Diamond dealers and cutters
- Somerset House Jewellery Exhibitions
- Natural History Museum
- British Musem