On-Campus GIA Lab Classes

To participate, click the Enroll button below to complete the application form. Please note that applying to attend does not guarantee enrollment and you are not officially enrolled until you receive confirmation from AGS by email. Please complete the application by August 29, 2025. You will be notified of the status of your application no later than September 5, 2025.

Five-Day Diamond Grading Lab
October 13–17, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day

Through a unique combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching and multimedia, the Diamond Grading class explores how to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and a loupe. Students study GIA’s International Diamond Grading System™, explore time-saving shortcuts to determine a variety of grading factors, and are introduced to methods for reading a GIA Diamond Grading Report. You will spend more than 16 hours practicing grading techniques on diamonds that were carefully selected and graded by GIA. In the process, you will study how to recognize the most common diamond features. Students must pass a two-stone practical exam to complete the class successfully.

Gem Identification Lab
October 20–24, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day

Practice the same timetested procedures and identification skills used by the Institute’s renowned gemological experts. Tools used include a microscope, a refractometer with polarizing filter and a removable magnifying eyepiece, refractive index (RI) liquid, a polariscope with an optic figure sphere, a dichroscope, a table model prism spectroscope, a handheld spectroscope, and a loupe. Students use these instruments to practice identifying natural and laboratory-grown gemstones, imitations, and assembled stones. Along with this hands-on training, your instructors will carefully demonstrate key tests and coach you in quick, effective testing procedures. Students must pass an instrumentation exam to complete the class successfully. Rl liquid is used in this class. You may need to exercise special precautions if you are pregnant, if you have certain medical conditions, and/or if you have sensitivity or are allergic to this chemical. If you are unsure, contact your physician for advice