|
1. |
Q. Could you please give me information about A.G. (Accredited Gemologist)
Program? |
|
|
A.
The Accredited Gemologist diploma program consists of four core courses which include:
1 Gem Identification: 3 months USD4,250.00
2. Synthetic & Treated Gem ID 1 month USD1,650.00
3. Diamond Grading & Pricing 1 month USD1,650.00
4. Color Stone Grading & Pricing 1 month USD1,650.00
These courses can be taken in any sequence except that you must take Gem Identification
before enrolling in Synthetic & Treated Gem ID.
|
|
2. |
Q. Please tell me about your Jewelry Design courses? |
|
|
A. There are no prerequisites for any of the jewelry design courses. Our major
Jewelry Design course will take you from no knowledge of design to being able to
draw three dimensional models and make clay or other material models of jewelry
you design. This is a three month course taught by award winning jewelry
designers who are active as designers for major jewelry companies.
- Jewelry Design 3 months USD1,760.00
- JewelCAD 13 days USD1,200.00
For schedule please see the "AIGS Courses".
|
|
3. |
Q. Is the design course included in the A.G. program? |
|
|
A. A. No, the A.G. program is purely gemological. We have a separate Jewelry Design course that spans for 3 months. You may take it concurrently with the A.G. program, or before or after the A.G. program, depending on the availability of the course.
|
|
4. |
Q. Are there any pre-requisites for the jewelry design courses? |
|
|
A. No. |
|
5. |
Q. What A.G. Program and what is it good for? |
|
|
A. A.G. (Accredited Gemologist) is the equivalent of a FGA of Gem-A, GG of GIA, DuG of Germany, etc. It is a gemological program aimed at educating people who would like to be more knowledgeable in gemstones for both professional and personal reasons.
It empowers you with knowledge so you become a more educated consumer or vendor.
|
|
6. |
Q. Why is the A.G. program so long? |
|
|
A. A. The A.G. program is divided into four components: Gem I.D., Synthetics and Treatments, Colored Stones Grading and Pricing, and Diamonds Grading and Pricing. Since we emphasize the practical approach, the student needs at least six months to get the hands on experience.
|
|
7. |
Q. Where do the instructors graduate from? How long have the instructors
been teaching the course? |
|
|
A. A. We have various instructors. Some are AIGS, AG, graduates and some are GIA, GG, graduates and some have both qualifications. It depends on which course you take, but all our teachers have market experience and are mostly still active in the gems industry.
|
|
8. |
Q. How do I book the course? |
|
|
A. You may book the course online at
http://www.aigsthailand.com/ContactRegistrar.aspx
or download the application forms then scan and email them to us at
registrar@aigsthailand.com.
The seat for the course is guaranteed only when the course fee is fully paid for.
|
|
9. |
Q. Could you please give me information about payment? |
|
|
A. You can make a transfer payment directly to our bank using the following
information.
1. Credit Card online http://www.aigsthailand.com/PayNow.aspx
2. Cash or Cheque directly to AIGS (30 days before class starts).
3. Through Paypal : pay@aigsthailand.com
4. Money transfer to:
Account Name : Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences Savings
Account : 118-441-6061
Bank : Bangkok Bank
Branch : Silom Branch
Address : 300 Silom Road, Suriyawong, Bangkrak, Bangkok 10500
Swift Code : BKKBTHBK
Bank Tel. : 662-233-6080-99
Please note that the student must be responsible for transaction fees charged by
issuing bank.
Please confirm your payment by fax at: 662-267-4320 or
E-mail at:
registrar@aigsthailand.com
|
|
10. |
Q. Do I have to take the courses in order? Which course should I take first? |
|
|
A. You can take any course except Synthetic & Treated Gem ID when it suits
your schedule. However, you must take Gem Identification before Synthetics.
The total duration for the A.G. (Accredited Gemologist) program is 6 months
assuming courses are available when you choose to take them. You have one
year to complete the program.
|
|
11. |
Q. How much does the full program cost, and is there any discount? |
|
|
A. No, unless you have a group of ten persons or more that will take the courses at the same time.
|
|
12. |
Q. How do I get an Education Visa? |
|
|
A. After the payment for A.G.(Accredited gemologist) program, AIGS will arrange the necessary documents for you. You can use these documents to apply for an "Education Visa" at the Thai consulate/embassy in your country. You will first receive a 3 month visa, which can be extended when you arrive Bangkok. The visa can be extended to cover the duration of the program. See "Visa" page for more details.
|
|
13. |
Q. Which course I should start with? |
|
|
A. The courses can be taken in any order, but we recommend to start with the "Gem Identification" course, followed by "Synthetic", "Diamond" and "Colored Stone"
|
|
14. |
Q. Is it necessary to take Introduction if
I will take full program? |
|
|
A. No. Introduction is for people who are not sure if they want to become fully involved in gemology, or for others who want an overview of what gemology is about. If you really serious to study for the whole program, I recommend start with the "Gem Identification".
|
|
15. |
Q. Does E301 synthetics and treatments course is all about detection? Are
you also going to teach us about the way stones are treated? |
|
|
A. The synthetic & treatment gem identification course is all about detection.
Depending on whom you talk to the treatment processes may have various interpretations
and for obvious reasons tend to remain proprietary. So in this course you are not
going to learn how to treat gemstones, instead learn the characteristic features
of treated and untreated stones. We have enough sample stones to explain the concept.
The best way to learn more about treatment (s) is by collecting before-and-after
treated samples and comparing the characteristic differences in color and inclusions.
|
|
16. |
Q. Is accommodation provided for foreign students? |
|
|
A. A. No. However, we do assist our students to find accommodation, which are in the vicinity of the school.
|
|
17. |
Q. Why is the photography course so short and expensive? |
|
|
A. The photography course is short because it is the time required to learn
the method for gemstones photo-taking. The skill is developed through experience.
In AIGS’ opinion, the price is not expensive considering the following: the class is limited to 3 students only per class, so you get good attention from the instructor; each person is allocated a professional camera with a laptop attached to it to practice in the class. These 2 items are very expensive investment that we put into the class so you may learn fairly and properly.
|
|
18. |
Q. Can we buy AIGS textbooks or program? |
|
|
A. AIGS textbooks are not for sale. They are given to students as part of the
course material when you attend the course(s). All our courses and programs materials
are copyrighted. If you would like to repeat the course or program in your home-country
or anywhere else in the world, we do provide licensing rights to the suitable partner(s).
Please contact the registrar for more information if your interest is to be a licensee.
|
|
19. |
Q. Why is AIGS course cheaper than GIA? |
|
|
A. At AIGS we believe education should be available to everyone and not only the affluent. In fact, we believe it should be free. However, since there is a cost of operating, and we are only a small organization, we need to cover our cost.
|
|
20. |
Q. What is the difference between AIGS and GIA? |
|
|
A. AIGS gives you more hands-on experience and value for money. In AIGS’ A.G. Diploma Program, we have approx. 6,500 stones for the students to study.
AIGS' advantage:
1. The strongest in coloured stones knowledge. AIGS has the largest
coloured stones collection in the world, in the students practice lab.
2. Focus is on hands-on practice so you are prepared for the real world.
3. Located in the heart of the gem capital of the world, Thailand.
4. AIGS believes in value-for-money principle. It costs less, but does
not compromise on the quality. For the same price you would pay to study in
California for the entire GG course, you could be living and learning in an exotic
country and also enjoy occasional weekend trips to neighbouring gem producing countries.
5. In fact many world famous gemmologist are a product of AIGS, or has trained
in AIGS as part of their professional career. E.g. Richard Hughes (author
of Ruby & Sapphire--which is regarded as some sort of a "bible" for rubies and
sapphires); Ken Scarratt (current lab director of GIA Thailand); Vincent Pardieu
(http://www.fieldgemology.org/); just to name a few.
6. AIGS AG's are recognised worldwide.
7. We organise fieldtrips in order to give students a more wholesome experience
of gemmology.
|
|
21. |
Q. After graduating from AIGS, will AIGS find jobs for the students? |
|
|
A. AIGS do not find jobs for the students. We provide placement assistance to
our graduates. Employment, however, depends on the candidate's qualifications, capabilities
and the market requirements.
|
|
22. |
Q. Are there pre-requisites to taking the A.G. program? |
|
|
A. Yes, you need a minimum of middle school education, and an equivalent of
high school command of English.
|
|
23. |
Q. Why there is no gemmological instrument, e.g. loupe, given to students
after graduating? |
|
|
A. Starting January 2009, all students that enroll and pay in full for the A.G.
program will get a Gemological Start-up Pack on enrolment. It will consist of a
10x loupe, a torch, a pair of tweezers, and a cleaning cloth.
Students that enrol for other individual courses will receive a loupe on enrolment.
It is our way of welcoming you to the wonderful world of gemological sciences!
|
|
24. |
Q. Has AIGS been recognised worldwide? |
|
|
A. AIGS is established since 1978. It is the first gemological school in Asia.
Our certificate is recognised worldwide. Over the span of 30 years we have produce
many outstanding and influential individuals, for example Richard Hughes, Christian
Dunaigre, Vincent Pardieu, etc.
|
|
25. |
Q. Will there be any fieldtrips to gemstone markets upcountry? |
|
|
A. Yes, AIGS do assist in organising fieldtrips for students to visit gems mines
and markets, such as
Chantaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mae Sai, Mae Sot, etc.
Students enrolling in E102 Gem Identification will be experiencing a field trip to gems related countries abroad, e.g. Myanmar, Vietnam, etc.
|
|
26. |
Q. Please set the schedule for me. Thank you. |
|
|
A. Please inform us (sending an email to
registrar@aigsthailand.com
of the most convenient time for you to study and I will arrange the schedule for
you.
|
|
27. |
Q. I enrolled for Gem Identification. How long must I wait before learning
if I have been accepted? How to get ED Visa? |
|
|
A. We will confirm your schedule as soon as we have the dates you would like
to study from you. You must accomplish the following:
- Payment for the course.
- AIGS registration office will send the confirmation letter for your "ED
visa" application.
- Bring the confirmation letter to the Thai consulate in your country and get the
"ED visa"
Within the first week you are at AIGS (not over than 15 days) bring your passport
to AIGS office
with the references in Registration Policy so we can process the
extension of your visa to fit the
time required to complete your studies.
|
|
28. |
Distance Learning or E/learning FAQ |
|
|
Q. What subjects does the AIGS Distance
Learning Program cover?
A. The brand new AIGS Distance Learning Program
has a wide subject range covering four completely different courses. These are:
Gem Identification; Synthetic & Treated Gem Identification; Colored Stone Grading
& Pricing; and Diamond Grading & Pricing
Q. After successfully completing the program,
what kind of diploma will the student get?
A. Students that complete the four courses listed
above, for Distance Learning Program, will receive Completion Certificate for each
different course and earn our A.G. Accredited Gemologist Diploma for those who taking
and pass the exam for all of the 4 main courses. See more detail at
http://www.aigsthailand.com/AIGSPage.aspx?mID=2&sID=70&type=DistanceLearning/e-learning
Q. How will the students taking the AIGS Distance
Learning Program receive the relevant
study materials from AIGS?
A. AIGS will send the Distance Learning Program
course materials to students by mail. They will then have to complete theory homework
and submit this to AIGS, by email. AIGS will then record the data and email additional
course work to the student. Gemstone and inclusion pictures will be made available
online to assist the students in their study. Aside from that, practical procedures
of gemstone handling and testing will also be shown through video demonstration
for the students’ understanding. The students can also contact AIGS to chat to a
course instructor and get answers to questions and gain additional information by
using the Skype service. Distance learning is different from studying on-site. It
is the next best thing if a student cannot attend the campus
Q. What are the advantages for students taking the
AIGS Distance Learning Program?
A. You can study from anywhere in the world, and study at your own pace. This is the perfect study option for one who seriously wants to learn gemology, but does not always have the time available to do so.
Q. How long will it take a student to complete the AIGS Distance Learning
Program?
A. That is completely up to the individual student.
The AIGS Distance Learning Program allows for the student to learn at entirely his/her
own pace.
Q. How is the AIGS Distance Learning Program different
from other gemological courses currently available to students worldwide?
A. AIGS was founded based on the love and passion
of one man, who is renown in the world’s gems and jewelry industry, Henry Ho. It
is his dedication, love and drive that make AIGS different to any other gemological
institute. Over the last 35 years, borne out of his passion and curiosity for gemstones,
Ho has accumulated a vast collection of gemstones that includes fine, rare, and
invaluable teaching samples. This collection is made available not only to our on-campus
students, but will be made available to our Distance Learning students as well,
in the form of gemstone and inclusion pictures. This is a priceless collection and
it is this that ultimately makes AIGS different to all other institutes.
Q. Is it true that, students who registered for the Distance Learning Program will have to come to AIGS campus to take the exam?
A.Yes, when they are ready, students will have to come to AIGS campus in Bangkok to sit for both the practical and theory exams. Prior to the practical exam, the students have a choice of coming for practice in our student lab for a fee. More information can be obtained at
http://aigsthailand.com/AIGSPage.aspx?mID=2&sID=70&type=DistanceLearning
|
|
|
|