Since 2006 the ISG has held the highest rating of A+ as an Accredited Business of the Better Business Bureau. This rating is based on the quality of our program and our commitment to ethics and integrity in the gemology education industry.

Absolutely. The ISG is a member of the Diamond Council of America, Jewelers of America, Texas Jewelers Association, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, Polygon, and is an Accredited Business of the Better Business Bureau with a A+ rating. We have also been endorsed by such names as the North Carolina Jewelers Association and our credentials are accepted by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. The ISG is also a certified Continuing Education Provider by the Texas Department of Insurance and others.

The Registered Gemologist Appraiser program consists of 4 modules in Gemology that are geared toward providing you a full education in the study of gemstones and jewelry, plus two (2) modules in jewelry appraisal and evaluating damaged jewelry for salvage and SIU (Special Investigations Unit) investigations for the insurance industry. This provides the RGA program with a total of six modules in gemology and appraisal to provide you with a complete education in gemology and jewelry appraisal. The ISG Registered Gemologist Appraiser Program Package is $1,995.00 that includes a FREE Gem Equipment package to get you started in your new career.

No. Remember that the RG is simply a part of the RGA, so upgrading to the RGA from the RG only costs the difference in price of the two programs, not the full program again. So if you pay for the RG program and decide to upgrade to the RGA, you only pay the difference of $500.00 to complete the full RGA program.

Our package programs are complete including courses, practicals, and exams. The full ISG Registered Gemologist Program Package is $1,495.00. The ISG Registered Gemologist Appraiser Program Package is U$1995.00. These are complete programs with all program modules, exams, and reference materials. There are restrictions on which international countries we can service, contact us for details.

Yes. In fact, it is the GIA students who also study with us who have termed the ISG program to actually be superior to the GIA since our program is easier to understand, has more practical knowledge, and is a combination of the FGA program and GIA program brought together to provide a unique study experience. We are not as famous since the GIA has annual revenue of over $300 million dollars in tax free income from selling diamond grading report. They use that money to overwhelm all other gemology schools in advertising and promotion.

Because our program utilizes the insurance industry’s education delivery systems by using online HTML5 mobile friendly presentations and PDF course files delivered online, we can offer quality education without the cost of a bricks and mortar school facility. We have utilized the power of the internet to make gemology study affordable for students around the world.

We do not have our own in-house payment plan due to the cost to hire and staff an Accounts Receivable office. This would cause a significant tuition increase.

Yes! We offer our program modules as individual courses for those who need to spread out the cost. With the addition of the Practicals Module at the end the total cost is slightly higher but it allowed students to spread out the cost.

Yes, we recently established our own ISG Classroom here in San Antonio. We currently offer 3 day hands-on classes in Diamond Grading, Colored Gemstone Identification, and Created and Treated Gemstones. More are coming in the future.

Nothing. All of the material you need is on line via internet or PDF download able format. There is nothing more to purchase.

We do offer a line of professional quality gemological equipment when supplies are available. This equipment is available at special prices to ensure that our ISG Students get professional quality at the lowest possible price.

The classes consist of online, mobile friendly presentations that have embedded videos to help you with your study. The course notes are also available online via PDF files to download to read at your leisure. You simply read the course material and study the video presentations that are embedded with the course notes. Then there are online exams and practical exams that you take whenever you are ready. We will also soon be offering support classes by ZOOM format online. Please note that we have structured our programs to be totally online with embedded videos to help save time and costs.

Yes, we have an extensive inventory of gemstones, diamonds, and pearls that we send you for hand’s-on study. You will receive a set of of these in the Workbook Practical Set that is sent to you for practice. Once you complete your identifications and grading you will return all to the ISG office for instructor review and feedback. Plus, if you feel you would like additional practice you can have more sets sent to you for a small handling fee of $75.00.

Yes. The courses are online whenever you are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can study at your own pace and whenever the time is right for you.

No. In fact that courses are specifically designed for beginners. But we have many students enrolled in major gemological institutes like the GIA and Gem-A who find that the ISG courses help them with their studies in the other schools.

The average completion time is 9 months for the full RGA program, 6 months for the RG. Virtually all of our students study part time while working at other jobs so this average is based on those times.

Yes, we provide the same practical program modules to international students. However, international students should be aware of any import fees or duties to receive the practical sets. Import and customs fees are the responsibility of the student. Security deposits may be required in some countries. Contact us for any questions.

Yes, due to the higher cost of international shipping we must charge a slightly higher tuition price for international students. However, we are once again able to work with international students as the Covid-19 pandemic is finally over.

The ISG RGA programs have a 12 month registration period, the RG 6 months. This has proven to be more than enough for previous students. If you experience delays for personal or professional reasons, we have a time extension program based on availability.

Yes. You get a Certificate of Completion for the individual courses, and your Diploma for completing the RGA or RG Programs.

Yes. The level of gemology you will learn here will allow you to have the knowledge and expertise required to get a job as a gemologist within the jewelry and gemstone industries, and our graduates are in demand by such industry leaders as Tiffany and Company.

Yes. The ISG Registered Gemologist Appraiser program offers a complete gemology and appraisal education. We are the only gemology school in the world to also be certified Insurance Continuing Education providers, meaning that we are licensed insurance professionals who teach both the insurance industry and the jewelry industry regarding appraisals of personal property items in the category of jewelry and gemstones.