Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use FGA if I haven’t paid for Membership?
No. The post-nominal letters FGA DGA translate to mean Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA) and Diamond Member of the Gemmological Association (DGA). They can only be used by paid-up Members of the Association. This has been written in the Articles of the Association since 1931.
When should I renew my membership?
Gem-A will send a renewal reminder at the end of October for the coming year’s membership. We will use the email that we have listed for you so please make sure your details are up-to-date. We recommend that you renew your membership when you receive the reminder so that you can take advantage of the special early bird rate.
How do I pay for my membership?
If you are already a member you can pay by logging in to the website, you will then be given the option of paying by GoCardless if you reside in the UK or PayPal Subscription if you live outside of the UK. If you don’t want to set-up a subscription, you can make a one-off payment using PayPal.
What are my other payment options?
If you do not want to pay by GoCardless or PayPal, you can pay by Credit/Debit Card, Bank Transfer or Cheque. To pay using one of these options, please fill out the renewal form and send it to membership@gem-a.com. If paying by credit/debit card please call the office during working hours (9am – 5pm Monday – Friday) and make the payment over the telephone. Gem-A office number 02074043334
I’m new to Gem-A, how do I become a Member?
If you have never been a Member of Gem-A, you will need to complete a Membership Application Form. Once completed, the Membership Secretary will review your application and if accepted, will send you details to make payment.
I used to be a Member but forgot to renew last year?
Try logging into the Gem-A website, if you are eligible to renew your membership, you will be able to log in and pay online. If you are not eligible to renew, you will need to complete a Membership Application Form.
How do I log in?
The log in page is located at https://gem-a.com/log-in. To log in, enter your username (Membership/Student number) and password (Surname). Once logged in, you will be prompted to reset your password to something more secure. If at any time you cannot remember your password please click the ‘forgot your password?’ button.
I have moved address, how do I update my details?
You can update your contact information by logging in to the website https://gem-a.com/log-in just click ‘Edit My Details’.
Do I get a discount if I apply/renew later in the year?
We do not offer discounted rates if you apply later in the year.
Are there any prerequisites for Gem-A membership?
If you are applying for FGA or DGA membership you must have successfully completed the Diploma in Gemmology or the Diamond Diploma Gem-A course. If you have not completed one of our courses and are not currently on one of our courses, you can apply for Associate Membership.
I have not received my publications, where are they?
If you have paid for membership but have not received any publications, please check that the address that we have for you is up to date by logging in to the website. If it is up to date, please contact membership@gem-a.com and we will look in to it.
When is the Membership Renewal period?
We recommend renewing your membership between the end of October and the end of December. During this time you will be able to take advantage of the early bird rate. After this time you can still renew but you will not have access to the publications or be able to use the post-nominal letters FGA or DGA until you have paid. You will also need to pay the full rate as you will no longer be eligible for the early bird rate.
I forgot to renew and I’ve missed the first publication of the year, can you send me back-dated copies?
We will not be able to re-print publications that you may have missed; however, all Members can access digital copies of our publications on the Gem-A website.