Sparkling future for gemologists

There is a bright future for professionals in the fast-track gems and jewellery industry which is witnessing double digit annual rates of growth on the domestic and export frontsFrom modest beginnings in the sweatshops of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the annual foreign currency revenue of India‚s gems and jewellery industry has quadrupled from Rs.23,500 crore in 1997 to Rs.94,200 crore in 2005.And even as India‚s textiles and fashion garments industry is booming, the associated gems and jewellery industry has impacted the global marketplace with dazzling designs and a sparkling array of gems. As a result, gemology has emerged as a hot new career option for youth with creative skills, aesthetic sense and colour sensitivity. Moreover, with gemstones being increasingly associated with sentiments of power, healing and romance, a global gems and jewellery boom is imminent.A huge domestic market for gems and precious jewellery is also emerging. India is the largest consumer of gold in the world and has excellent infrastructure for diamond-cutting. Industry estimates boast that 95 percent of the world‚s cut and polished diamonds, accounting for 60 percent of global output in terms of value, are processed in India. Gemology is the scientific study of gemstones. It involves learning about categorisation and termin-ology of gemstones, their physical and optical properties and how these properties are used to identify gems. Gemologists identify, sort and grade gems and advise jewellery designers about their compatibility with particular metals and settings. They need to develop extraordinary powers of observation, attention to detail, precision, excellent hand-eye co-ordination, an objective approach and great sense of responsibility. They should also be knowledgeable about customs and traditions of people and the latest global trends in fashion jewellery.The main objective of study programmes in gemology is to train students to use cutting edge technology and learn to sort, grade, polish, value and identify gemstones. To be eligible for admission into a gemology degree/diploma/ certificate course, completion of Plus Two (any stream) or equivalent is the minimum prerequisite. Among the top grade institutes offering study programmes are the Gemological Institute of India, Mumbai 400 002 (www.giiionline.com); Arch Gemology & Jewellery Institute, Jaipur (www. archedu.org); Indian Diamond Institute, Surat (www.diamondinstitute.net); Indian Gemological Institute, New Delhi (www.iigdelhi.com); Jasani Department of Jewellery Design & Manufacture, SNDT Women‚s University Campus, Mumbai 400 054; St. Xavier‚s College, Geology Dept., Mumbai 400 001; Sindhar Institutes of Gemology, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jaipur, Surat (www.sindhar.com).Trained and qualified gemologists are in great demand and are grabbed by jewellery houses on starting salaries of Rs.8,000-15,000 with prospects of quick upward mobility. For self-employed gemologists, the sky is the limit provided they satisfy market needs with their creativity and enterprise.”There‚s a bright future for professionals in this fast-track industry which is witnessing double digit annual rates of growth on the domestic and export fronts. The expanding middle class of double income households, and fashion-conscious women are expected to keep jewellery sales spiralling. Our traditional know-how combined with high technology has been a great advantage in capturing overseas markets. In the days…