Bangkok: City of Gemology Schools

Comparing Thailand’s Top Four

If you’ve been to Bangkok then you probably know that it’s the hub that the world’s colored gemstone industry revolves around. What you may not know is that Bangkok is also the home to some of the best gemology schools in the world. Within a 2 kilometer radius we have (from Thailand’s oldest to newest) AIGS, GIA, FGA (in GIT), and IGT.

The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) was the first gemology laboratory and school in Asia. Started by the Ho family in 1978, AIGS first opened its doors to just a handful of Thai and International students. In the last 40 years, the school has built a strong reputation for being a leader in Colored Stones education. Their 6 month Accredited Gemologist (AG) program consists of four modules (Gem Identification, Synthetic & Treated Gem Identification, Colored Stone Grading and Pricing, and Diamond Grading and Pricing). Current prices found here.

The Gemology Institute of America (GIA) started in 1931 in Los Angeles, California. The school and the lab have become world famous for their research and their work with diamonds. Having created the Diamond Grading System used by the world over, the GIA education has an especially strong Diamonds program, reputed to be the best in the world. They opened up their Bangkok branch in 1993 and have been providing gemological education to Asia ever since. Their 6 month Graduate Gemologist (GG) program consists of two sections (Colored Stones and Diamonds). Current prices found here.

The Gemmological Institution of Great Britain (Gem-A) is the world’s oldest gemology school, having started in London in 1908. They are the newest of the four gemology schools to offer their educational program in Bangkok. having started in 2000. Their Gemmology Diploma program (FGA) is offered in the Gems and Jewelry Institute Building (GIT). Please note that the Gemmology Diploma doesn’t cover diamonds. Gem-A also offers a Diamonds Diploma but not currently in Bangkok. GIT also offers a Diamond Grading Course (CDG) that was created in collaboration with the HRD Institute of Gemmology in Antwerp, though there doesn’t seem to be any classes currently scheduled. Current prices found here.

A new offering to Bangkok’s gemology education scene is the Institute of Gem Trading. IGT’s educational program is meant to compliment a gemology diploma with hands-on applied gemology skills such as rough stone grading and evaluation, cutting and recutting gemstones with lots of theory and practice, and business courses for the gem trade. These courses offer knowledge that is not widely available outside of long term apprenticeships. The Institute started in 2017 but their classes are a welcome addition to the traditional knowledge offered from the more well known schools. Prices are available here.

We have three very well known and very reputable schools and the new kid on the block. AIGS is known for colored stones, synthetics, treatments, and market pricing. GIA is known for diamonds, sales, and preparation for entry into the jewelry sales industry. GEM-A is known to be the most technical and theoretical program which is great for those that want to go deeper into the mechanisms behind how gems exist and function on a physical level. IGT is the school that takes you to the next level of training. All four are great options depending on your needs. But what about Bangkok? Why travel all the way across the world when you can find great Gemology schools in the US, Canada, Europe, and China?

BANGKOK IS THE CENTER OF THE COLORED STONE TRADE

View of Bangkok from the Jewelry Trade Center Photo by Justin K Prim

All four schools are located in the Bang Rak district, which is the gemstone trading neighborhood of Bangkok. The epicenter of this district is the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC) building located on Silom Road near the intersection with Mahesak Road. Aside from the 50+ floors of gem dealers in the JTC, there are dozens if not hundreds of shops and offices around Silom and Mahesak. For the potential student, this is a gold mine of learning experiences. You can meet buyers, sellers, cutters, factory owners, and other people in the gem trade from all over the world.

Another great resource that Bangkok offers gemological students are the gem libraries. There is a very nice public gem library and museum in the GIT building that boasts 10,000 gem-related books, magazines, and videos and costs less than $1 to use. Inside of AIGS there is a school library of about 2,500 books including several complete collections of journals such as GIA’s Gems and Gemology (going back to the 1940’s) and Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology. GIA’s main headquarters in California contains over 57,000 gem-related books but the Bangkok campus only has a small collection of around 100 books for it’s students to use.

The next highlight of Bangkok is its location. Thailand has been producing Rubies and Sapphires for hundreds of years and the Thai gem community in Chanthaburi has been pioneering the heat treatment industry for over 40 years. This means that in Bangkok or in the gem trading town of Chanthaburi, the interested student can visit gem mines, heat treatment facilities, gem trading markets, jewelry manufacturers, gem cutting factories, gem museums, and of course jewelry shops.

One of the Market Floors of the JTC Photo by Justin K Prim

Aside from courses in Gemology, there are a number of other gem-related subjects to learn about during a stay in Bangkok. If you are interested in gemstone heat treatments, Ted Themelis offers a Ruby and Sapphire Treatment Class.

If you are interested in cutting gemstones in the traditional Thai style, there is a very good school in the Prawet neighborhood, which has historically been a cutting district in Bangkok. The school is called Venice of the East or Baan Ploy for Thai speakers and is run by a husband and wife team of Thai cutters who have been cutting in Bangkok for over 30 years. The prices are very reasonable and they have a translator for English students. Venice of the East also offers gemology classes in Thai.

Besides education, Bangkok offers many opportunities for the student or fresh graduate to meet people in the industry and find mentorship or potentially a job. Every few months, GIA offers a Gem Gathering which is a free talk from an industry professional and is attended by many people in the gem trade. It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk to a huge cross section of the industry. GIT offers a near-yearly conference that provides another great opportunity to increase your gemology knowledge and meet notable industry professionals. Finally, there is the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair which is a free show that happens twice a year. This is a great place to see stones but possibly more importantly, this is a great place to meet companies, collect business cards, and look for potential job opportunities.

BANGKOK IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN STAYING HOME