Online Distance Learning (ODL)

We offer asynchronous online courses in English and Japanese.

Our on-site classes in London office are taught in English.

We have partnered with Accredited Teaching Centres in 19 countries where courses are taught in English, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, French or Japanese, depending the country.

For more details, please contact directly the ATC.

All distance learning students must complete some practical tuition as part of their course, this ensures you can use the equipment correctly and safely, as well as giving you the opportunity to see a much wider range of gem materials outside of those supplied with your course materials. 

If you choose to book onto a lab class at Gem-A London, or a lab class in the US, then you will pay for this as part of your course fee. If you will be attending your practical tuition with one of our GAPP centres, then you will make the arrangements and pay them their fee directly. 

You can contact education@gem-a.com for guidance on available examination centres. Please note that not all examination centres are guaranteed to be available for every exam session.

Examinations may be possible in the following locations, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Please note that Diamond Practical examinations are limited to a smaller selection of locations. 

Communication on the online distance learning courses with your tutor and fellow students is through forums, and engaging in discussions and posting questions is part of the experience. Where possible you should post your questions within the course as they may also benefit other students and encourage group talking points. However, should you need to message your tutor privately, you can do this through the online campus that you will have access to for the duration of your course. 

For each course, the recommended self-study hours per week, including time for the reading of the course notes, completing any homework (onsite studies only), and end-of-block reviews and online assessments, are:

Gemmology Foundation

• Evening: 6 to 8 hours
• Daytime: 4 to 6 hours
• ODL: 6 to 8 hours
• ODL Fast track: 10 to 12 hours

Gemmology Diploma

• Evening: 8 to 10 hours
• Daytime: 6 to 8 hours
• ODL: 10 to 12 hours

Diamond Diploma

• Evening: 10 to 12 hours
• Daytime: 8 to 10 hours
• ODL: 8 to 10 hours