Gemological Diplomas, Appraisal Credentials, Major Labs,
Gem & Jewelry Organizations and their Acronyms
Gemological
Diplomas
AG (CIG), Accredited Gemmologist. Awarded by the Canadian Institute of Gemmology
GG, Graduate Gemologist. Awarded by the Gemological Institute of America
FCGmA, Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association
FGA, Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain
FGAA, Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia
FGG, Fellow of the German Gemmological Association
Appraisal Credentials
AA-CJI, Accredited Appraiser of the Canadian Jeweller’s Institute. Must have a gemologist diploma, a gem lab or access to a lab, three year’s Canadian trade experience, must complete an appraisal course and pass a written and practical exam.
AM, Accredited Member of the American Society of Appraisers. Must pass ASA's ethics exam, meet the USPAP requirement for the GJ (gems & jewelry discipline) submit two appraisal reports for peer review, have a gemological diploma, pass ASA’s GJ discipline exam, successfully complete ASA’s GJ Principles of Valuation (POV) courses or the approved equivalency and have two years of full-time appraisal experience and a college degree or equivalent.
ASA, Accredited Senior Appraiser of ASA ( the American Society of Appraisers). Must pass ASA's ethics exam, meet the USPAP requirement for the GJ (gems & jewelry discipline), submit two appraisal reports for peer review, have a gemological diploma, be an accredited member of ASA, pass ASA’s GJ discipline exam, successfully complete ASA’s GJ Principles of Valuation (POV) courses or the approved equivalency, have a minimum of five years of full-time appraisal experience and a college degree or its approved equivalent.
CAPP, Certified Appraiser of Personal Property. This is the highest designation offered by the International Society of Appraisers. To receive it, one must attend their appraisal courses, pass the exams, and have a gemological diploma and trade experience.
CGA, Certified Gemologist Appraiser. This is awarded by the American Gem Society to certified gemologists that pass their written and practical appraisal exam. Trade experience is a prerequisite.
CGL, Certified Gemological Laboratory. Awarded Accredited Gemologists Association to appraisers who employ gemologists who have successfully completed qualified gemological education programs, while on the hardware side, CGL labs must own a variety of equipment necessary to perform the types of gemological tasks that are commonly required in the gem and jewelry market today.
CMA, Certified Master Appraiser. This is the highest award offered by NAJA (the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers). To receive it, one must have at least seven years of appraisal experience, take the NAJA appraisal studies course, pass a comprehensive theory and practical appraisal examination, and have a NAJA or AGA Certified Gem Laboratory.
CSM, Certified Senior Member of NAJA. Must have a graduate gemologist diploma, at least five years of trade and appraisal experience, at least 14 days of appraisal training and must pass the Senior Certified Member` appraisal exam.
ICGA, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser. A designation awarded by the American Gem Society to Certified Gemologist Appraisers who also complete the three Advanced Personal Property Appraisal courses, pass the written and practical appraisal exam, refrain from buying and selling and pass an annual re-certification exam along with required documentation of continuing education in gemological and appraisal related areas.
IRV, Institute Register Valuer (UK), must have the Certificate of Appraisal Theory (CAT) the Professional Jewellers’ Valuation Diploma (PJValDip), a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the jewellery trade/industry, a gemological qualification, a diamond grading training certificate and must submit sample valuations
ISA, International Society of Appraisers Accredited Member. Must pass an ethics and appraisal exam, submit sample appraisals for peer review, and have two years of full-time appraisal experience and a college degree or equivalent.
MGA, Master Gemologist Appraiser. This is the highest level offered by the American Society of Appraisers. In order to achieve this level of distinction, one must already be an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), in addition to the requirements for the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation, candidates for the MGA also need to successfully complete the advanced class in gemology or jewelry connoisseurship (GJ209 series), successfully complete ASA’s MGA practical exam (GJ210), and submit proof of Color Vision Testing along with proof of lab equipment.
RMV Registered Master Valuer. Must be a qualified gemologist and complete the Master Valuer Program, a comprehensive appraisal program which includes appraisal methodology for writing appraisals of all types.
Sr. Mbr. NAJA, Must have a minimum of five years’ full-time appraisal experience, accumulate a total of nineteen (19) points in education, and have fulfilled all requirements for NAJA Member status.
Major Gem Laboratories
Those that conduct research, have high-tech equipment and examine a high volume of diamonds and colored gems
AGIL (Asian Gemmological Institute and Laboratory Ltd.), Hong Kong
AGL (American Gemological Laboratories, Inc.) , NY, NY.
AIGS (Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences), Bangkok Thailand
AGSL, (American Gem Society Laboratory, only for the trade), Las Vegas, NV
CCIP. (Service Public du Contrôle des Diamants, Perles Fines et Pierres Précieuses), Paris
CGL-GRS (Canadian Gemological Laboratory, Vancouver, BC
CGL (Central Gem Laboratory), Tokyo Japan
DEL, Deutsch Diamant und Edelstein Laboratorien, Idar-Oberstein, Germany
GCAL (Gem Certification & Appraisal Lab), NY, NY
GGTL GemLab Laboratories, Balzers, Liechtenstein
GGTL-GemTechLab laboratory, Genève, Switzerland
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Gem Trade Laboratory Inc., Carlsbad, CA and NY, NY
GIT (Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand), Bangkok, Thailand
GGL, Gübelin Gem Lab Ltd, http://www.gubelingemlab.ch Lucerne, Switzerland
GRS.
(Gem Research Swiss Lab), Baumschulweg, Switzerland
HRD Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
Lotus Gemology Lab, Bangkok, Thailand
SSEF (Swiss Gemmological Institute), Basel, Switzerland
Gem & Jewelry Organizations
ACC (American Craft Council), Minneapolis, MN
AFG (Association Française de Gemmologie) Paris, France
AGA (Accredited Gemologists Association), San Diego, CA
AGS (American Gem Society), Las Vegas, NV
AGTA (American Gem Trade Association), Dallas, TX
AIJV (Association of Independent Jewellery Valuers), Perth, Scotland
ASA (American Society of Appraisers), Reston, VA
ASJH (American Society of Jewelry Historians)
ASJRA (Association of the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts), Ellicott City, MD
AWA (American Watch Association), New York, NY
AWCL (American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute),
CGA (Canadian Gemmological Association) Toronto, ON
CIBJO (World Jewellery Confederation), Bern, Switzerland
CJA (Canadian Jewellers Association) Toronto, ON
CJI (Canadian Jewellers’ Institute), Toronto, Canada
CPAA (Cultured Pearl Association of America)
DCA (Diamond Council of America)
DGJG (Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group) Deira, Dubai
DMIA (Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America), New York, NY
DPA (Diamond Producers Association)
FJATA (Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Trade Association),
GEM-A (Gemmological Association of Great Britain), Las Vegas, NV
GIA (Gemological Institute of America), Carlsbad, CA & NY, NY
GIT (Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand), Bangkok
ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association)
JA (Jewelers of America)
JA-World (Jewelry Appraisers of the World), Perth, Scotland
JBT (Jewelers Board of Trade, Warwick, RI
JCSA (Jewellery Council of South Africa) Johannesburg
JJA (Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association), Hong Kong
JSA (Jewelers Security Alliance)
JVC (Jewelers Vigilance Committee), New York, NY
JVC (Jewellers Vigilance Canada), Toronto
IDMA (International Diamond Manufacturers Association) Antwerp, Belgium
ISA (International Society of Appraisers), Chicago, IL
JIRBNZ (Jewellery Industry Registration Board of New Zealand), Auckland
MJSA (Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America), Attleboro, MA
NCJV (National Council of Jewellery Valuers), Sydney, Australia
NAJ (National Association of Jewellers), Birmingham, UK
NAJA (National Association of Jewelry Appraisers), Rego Park, NY
NAWCC (National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors), Dayton, OH
NCAJA (National Chinese American Jewelry Association) New York, NY
NCDIA (Natural Color Diamond Association), New York, NY.
NGJA (National Gem & Jewelry Authority) Sri Lanka
PC (Plumb Club), Englewood, NJ
PGI (Platinum Guild International), Hong Kong
PMANA (Precious Metals Association of North America), Fairfax, VA.
RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council), London
RJO (Retail Jewelers Association), Newton, IA
SAS (Society of American Silversmiths), West Warwick, RI
SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmights), Eugene, OR
TGJTA (Thai Gem & Jewellery Traders Association)
TJDMA (Taiwan Jewelry Design & Metalsmithing Association) Taipei, Taiwan
WFDB (World Federation of Diamond Bourses), Antwerp, Belgium
World Gold Council, London: head office
WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association)
Newman Gem & Jewelry Series and Osteoporosis Book Links
Diamond Ring Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Diamond Handbook, Details & Reviews
Gemstone Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Gold & Platinum Jewelry Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Pearl Buying Guide, Details & Reviews
Gem & Jewelry Pocket Guide, Details and Reviews
Osteoporosis Prevention, Details & Reviews
Jewelry Handbook, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 1, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 2, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 3, Details & Reviews
Exotic Gems, Volume 4, Details
Rare Gemstones: Details & Reviews
Gold, Platinum, Palladium, Silver & Other Jewelry Metals, Details & Reviews