Training for a career in Gems & Jewellery

What comes to mind when you hear the words gems and jewellery? Most would say glitter and glamour. While this may be true, the gems and jewellery (G&J) industry is also one of India’s leading foreign exchange earning sectors and one of the fastest growing in the Indian economy. This means that the G&J industry provides ample opportunities for challenging and fulfilling careers in a wide variety of job functions.

This robust industry has both creative and technical career paths – with positions ranging from retail sales and jewellery design to diamond grading and production. According to Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the public-benefit organisation considered the “Harvard of the jewellery industry,” careers in G&J require specialised education.

If you’re a scientifically inclined individual with an interest in the technical side of gems, consider a career as a gemologist. GIA offers a host of programs to embark on this career path:

Graduate Gemologist Diploma Program (GG): This internationally acclaimed programme opens the door to job opportunities as a buyer, trader or even laboratory and research professional. Gemmological laboratories across the globe are always seeking new talent to accommodate the growing amount of gemstones submitted for identification and grading.

Graduate Diamond Program (GD): It prepares students to be market-ready and confident when speaking about diamonds – an especially pertinent skill given that India is the world’s largest diamond manufacturing hub. Another variation of this is the AGD course mentioned below.

Accelerated Graduate Diamond Program (AGD): The AGD course makes it possible for working professionals to take a diamond course at their own convenience. This self-study course, guided by a seasoned GIA instructor, enables students to complete the course (that takes a full-time student seven weeks) in six months.

Graduate Colored Stones Program (GCS): This program provides training on the origins, colour, quality, and rarity of gemstones, and in identification of both common and unusual coloured gemstones. Those who possess specific gemmological training are desirable employees for jewellers and jewellery retails chains dealing in coloured gems and diamonds.

Do you enjoy creativity and using your imagination? Then consider an art-and-design-related career in G&J.

Jewelry Design Program (JD):Technical training in the art of jewellery design, such as GIA’s JD Program, provides the basis for numerous opportunities in the creative side of the business. Alternatively, the SWIFT Jewelry Design Program provides an introduction to the field, with classes on different types of settings and representation techniques.

If you are outgoing and enjoy interacting with people, then a position in retail jewellery sales may be a perfect fit for you.

Accredited Jewelry Professional Diploma Program (AJP):A great way to gain a strong foundation in product knowledge and sales is with GIA’s globally recognised AJP Diploma Program. To further refine sales skills, GIA also offers the comprehensive Sales Excellence programme, which teaches how to build customer relationships and better understand service concepts.  Training in both of these programmes not only provides vital information and the tools to effectively close sales and meet targets. Another exciting career option  in retail is merchandising – GIA’s Merchandising Program will equips students to understand store layouts and strategically plan a product mix to capture customer attention. 

GIA's Jewellery Career Fairs

Once armed with a globally recognised GIA credential, the organisation helps pave the way towards the future with GIA's Jewellery Career Fairs, a unique event dedicated to the G&J industry. During these events, students and job candidates can interview and network with some of the top companies in the industry. Attendees also receive personalized career advice during one-on-one mentoring sessions. Admission to Career Fair is free and open to the public! GIA in India has held Career Fairs in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai with participation from top jewellery companies like Titan, Rosyblue, Hazoorilal, CKC & sons and GRT Jewellers.

For more details on GIA’s courses and the GIA Jewellery Career Fair, visit www.giaindia.in or write at education.giaindia@gia.edu or call 022-40851599 / 82.