| 1. |
Could you please give me information about A.G. (Accredited Gemologist) Program?
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. |
Please tell me about your Jewelry Design courses?
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".
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| 3. |
Is the design course included in the A.G. program?
No, the A.G. program is purely gemmological. We do have a Jewellery Design course that spans for 3 months, and 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. |
Are there any pre-requisites for the jewelry design courses?
No, there are no pre-requisites for the jewelry design courses. You can start from knowing nothing about design. |
| 5. |
What is A.G. program and what is it good for?
A.G. (Accredited Gemologist) is the equivalent of a FGA of Gem-A, GG of GIA, DuG of Germany, etc. It is a gemmological 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.
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| 6. |
Why is the A.G. program so long?
The A.G. program is divided into four components: Gem I.D., Synthetics and Treatments, Coloured Stones Grading and Pricing, and Diamonds Grading and Pricing. Six months for 4 courses is not a long time. Other gemological diplomas in the market take the same amount of time if not more. |
| 7. |
Where do the instructors graduate from? How long have the instructors been teaching the course?
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. |
How do I book the course?
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.
There is an early bird special offer for A.G Diploma program. If you book and we receive the full payment for the course 6 month or 3 month in advance of a course’s start date, you will get a fee reduction and pay only USD7,755 or USD8,200 respectively.
Any booking and payment received less than 6 and 3 months from the course’s start date is subject to the full fee amount.
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| 9. |
Could you please give me information about payment?
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
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| 10. |
Do I have to take the courses in order? Which course should I take first?
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.
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| 11. |
How much does the full program cost, and is there any discount?
The total cost will be USD9,125. However, Early Bird Special offers if you pay 6 month in advance for the whole program, you will save USD1,368. The grand total after discount will be USD7,757. And if you pay 3 month in advance for the whole program, you will save USD925. The grand total after discount will be USD8,200. The tuition includes text books, required both local and abroad field trips and necessary materials for study. |
| 12. |
How do I get an Education Visa?
After the payment for A.G.(Accredited gemologist) program, AIGS will arrange the necessary documents for you. You can use this document to apply for an "Education Visa" at the Thai consulate/embassy in your country. Then, when you arrived to Bangkok , we can extend the time to cover the duration of the program. See "Visa" page for more details. |
| 13. |
Which course I should start with?
Because all courses are individual courses, you can choose or arrange your first course which you can convenience come. Otherwise, we recommend the "Gem Identification" course for everyone who would like to start and the next course will be "Synthetic", "Diamond" and "Colored Stone" last. Other than taking Gem ID before Synthetics there are no prerequisites. You can so decide without inconvenience to begin also by "Diamonds" or "Colored Stone" before "Gem Identification". |
| 14. |
Is it necessary to take Introduction if I will take full program?
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. |
Does E301 synthetics and treatments course is all about detection? Are you also going to teach us about the way stones are treated?
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. |
Are there accommodation provided to foreign students?
AIGS do not provide accommodation to the students, as we are not a real estate agency. However, we do assist our students to find accommodation, which are in the vicinity of the school.
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| 17. |
Why is the photography course so short and expensive?
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.
We could increase it to 9 person per class and charge US$110 per person, but you will have to share the use of the camera and laptop with 2 other people and the teacher will have to divide the same amount of time among 9 person instead of 3. In this case, cheaper price, lower quality. |
| 18. |
Can we buy AIGS textbooks or program?
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.
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| 19. |
Why is AIGS course cheaper than GIA?
In 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 organisation, we need to cover our cost. |
| 20. |
What is the difference between AIGS and GIA?
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.
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| 21. |
After graduating from AIGS, will AIGS find jobs for the students?
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.
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| 22. |
Are there pre-requisites to taking the A.G. program?
Yes, you need a minimum of middle school education, and an equivalent of high school command of English.
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| 23. |
Why there is no gemmological instrument, e.g. loupe, given to students after graduating?
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!
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| 24. |
Has AIGS been recognised worldwide?
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.
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| 25. |
Will there be any fieldtrips to gemstone markets upcountry?
Yes, AIGS do assist in organising fieldtrips for students to visit gems mines and markets, such as Chantaburi, Kanchanaburi, Mae Sai, Mae Sot, etc.
Starting January 2009, students enroll E102 Gem Identification will be experiencing a field trip to gems related countries abroad, e.g. Myanmar, Vietnam, etc.
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| 26. |
Please set the schedule for me. Thank you.
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. |
I enrolled for Gem Identification. How long must I wait before learning if I have been accepted? How to get ED Visa?
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.
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| 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. Any student registered to the AIGS Distance Learning Program anywhere in the world can study the course at anytime at their own pace, and to suit their own schedule. 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. Do students registered to the AIGS Distance Learning Program have to attend the AIGS campus to sit an exam, at all?
· A. Yes, when they are ready, students will have to attend the 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
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