- 1). Research diamonds to learn the basics. Read information about diamonds on websites such as Emporia University's Gemstones and Gemology course, and University of California, Berkeley's Gems and Gem Materials course. Follow links to references listed on each website. Visit your local library to find additional reading materials on topics such as diamond mining, trade and classification.
- 2). Visit a museum to see some of the world's most famous diamonds. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, is home to the famous 45-carat Hope Diamond and other pieces of diamond jewelry. Travel to London to see the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, which include the 109-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond.
- 3). Visit Gemological Institute of America-certified diamond sellers in your area. Ask to see loose and set diamonds of different qualities. Examine the stones using a jeweler's loupe to look for the GIA's 4Cs of diamond quality. Notice the carat, clarity, color and cut of each stone. Apply for a job as a salesperson with a certified diamond dealer so you can gain experience handling a variety of stones.
- 4). Take a course about diamonds, or earn a diploma. The University of California, Berkeley offers an online course on gems and gem materials that includes a module on diamonds. You could also earn a diploma from the Gemological Institute of America's Graduate Diamonds Program. These classes are offered online or at GIA campuses in Carlsbad, California and New York. You can use these credentials to become a professional diamond collector or dealer.
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