Graduate Pearls

Pearls captivate and fascinate. These "stones of the sea" emerge from nature in a beautifully finished condition and can be admired and adorned without much fashioning.

Dive into the wonder of pearls and find new profit in the full range these timeless gems provide. GIA's Graduate Pearls Diploma program gives you a comprehensive foundation in pearls, the pearl market, and pearl garding. Developed with the nerous support of the South Sea Pearl Consortium, Pearls de Tahiti G.I.E., and the Japan Pearl Exporters Association, this program is where you learn all the product knowledge and grading skills you need to buy inventory, build confidence, and increase profits.

You also learn GIA's Pearl Value Factors which help you evaluate, buy, and sell pearls at the reail level. And you focus on natural and cultured pearls — the difference, the benefits, and the beauty. What's more, special attention is also paid to post-harvest treatments, imitation to the pristine waters off the Australian coast or the Gambier Islands — for modern day equivalent of buried treasure.

At the conclusion of this program, you're better prepared to communicate with wholesalers and retail clients as you build your pearl business.

Acquire the productknowledge and grading skills you need to buy inventory, build confidence, and increase profits. Learn techniques for selling pearls and the retail level by GIA's Pearl Value Factors™: size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality, and matching. Training hands-on with pearls, you also discover how to test pearls for authenticity and post-harvest treatments.
You're better prepared to communicate with wholesalers and retail clients as you build your pearl business.

What You Learn

Pearl Buyer
Jewelry Buyer
Auction House Jewelry Specialist
Retailer
Pearl Dealer

Program Highlights

Buy and see Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian, and freshwater pearls with informed insight and skill
Work with a GIA instructor and learn to professionally grade pearls
Learn how to evaluate cultured pearls, and promote the relationship of beauty, value and quality in your merchandise
Distinguish between natural and cultured pearls

What do I earn?	- Graduate Pearls Diploma
How can I take it?	Distance Education: consists of 1 course and 1 class: Pearls Course Pearl Grading Lab Class
How long will it take?	Self-paced: between 3 months(typical) and 6 months(maximum time allowed) (24 months allowed for lab component)