<div class="row"><div class="col-md-4"><h4>Who is this course for?</h4><ul class="list list--checked"><li>Hobbyists: Learn how to evaluate and care for <a href="https://wordpress-staging.gemsociety.org/article/opal-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="nofollow external">opals</a></li><li>Consumers: Learn how to choose an <a href="https://wordpress-staging.gemsociety.org/article/opal-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="nofollow external">opal</a> for jewelry</li><li>Professionals: Think you know opals? Test your knowledge!</li></ul></div><div class="col-md-4"><h4>What this course offers</h4><ul class="list list--checked"><li>Brand new opal articles in our Reference Library, including a recent interview with renowned opal expert, Joel Ragan</li><li>Gain specialized knowledge on opals that will help you to build your gemology skills</li><li>Complete the mini-course at your own pace as you balance personal and professional commitments</li><li>Test your knowledge: To earn the IGS Opal Badge, take one 25 question quiz</li></ul></div><div class="col-md-4"><h4>Why take this course?</h4><p>A flexible and affordable mini-course from one of the top online gemology schools.</p><p>Enroll in the IGS Opal Mini-course and gain specialized knowledge about one of the most popular and mysterious colored gemstones. Build expertise in 4 core areas — opal formation and properties, how to buy an opal, distinguishing opals from simulants and synthetics and grading opals — while learning through articles and visuals. This completely online mini-course is an affordable way to pursue your hobby or build a career in gemology.</p></div></div>

Opal Specialist Course Non-Member

Opal Specialist Mini Course

Specialty Mini Courses

Welcome to the world of opals! For thousands of years, these prized gems have inspired many legends and sparked the imaginations of jewelers and connoisseurs. In this unit, you’ll learn the science behind the distinctive optical and physical properties of opals as well as how to identify them and their many varieties. You’ll also learn how and where opals form and why they require special care during cutting and cleaning.

An Interview with Opal Expert Joel Ragan

Introduction to Opals and Their Properties

Tips for Cabbing and Carving Opals

Opal Prospecting

Opal Mining in Coober Pedy

Opal Symbolism

Famous Opals

Caring for Opals: Preventing Crazing

Caring for Opals in Jewelry and Collections

Australian Opals

Opal Types

Summary of Opal Properties

How Do Opals Form?

Since opal gems can have so many unique features, from phenomenal color play to striking patterns, buying them requires learning a new vocabulary. Help your customers make the best choice for their jewelry projects by explaining the quality factors that affect opal prices. Choosing an opal as an engagement ring stone can make a beautiful statement. However, you should also make sure your customers understand the best way to set their gem and protect their investment.

Protective Jewelry Settings

How to Choose an Opal

Opal Engagement Rings

Opal Patterns

Opal Price Guide

Opal Buying Guide

The more expensive and popular a gemstone, the more likely you’ll encounter synthetics and simulants for sale, some very convincing. Opals are no exception. In this unit, you’ll learn how to identify lab-created opals and lookalikes. You can then confidently advise your customers if their opals are mined or synthetic as well as genuine or imitation.

Opal Synthetics

Distinguishing Opals from Synthetics and Simulants

Opal Simulants

You’ll need to go beyond the Four Cs of color, clarity, cut, and carat to properly grade opals. In this unit, you’ll learn how to evaluate opal’s unique properties and write a standard appraisal or identification report. Opals are often set in assembled doublets or triplets and sometimes receive treatments to enhance their appearance and stability. Learn how to identify these processes and how they affect grading.

Assembled Gems

Grading Opals

Opal Treatments

Appraising Opals

For this lesson, please famialiarize yourself with our Gemstone Encyclopedia article about opals and then return here to mark this lesson as complete.

Summary of Opal Properties - International Gem Society

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<p>For this lesson, please famialiarize yourself with our <a href="https://wordpress-staging.gemsociety.org/article/opal-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/" data-wpel-link="external" rel="nofollow external">Gemstone Encyclopedia article about opals</a> and then return here to mark this lesson as complete.</p>

Appraisals

Gem Cutting

Gemological Laboratories

Gemstones

Rough Gems and Mineral Specimens

Jewelry

Gemology Supplies and Equipment

Auctions

Gem Treating

Informational Resources

Lapidary Supplies and Equipment

Special Services

Ruby Buying Guide

Emerald Buying Guide

Sapphire Buying Guide

Aquamarine Buying Guide

An Introduction to Gem Identification

Destructive Gemstone Testing

Enhanced Gem Inclusions

Identifying Synthetic Diamonds

A Guide to Early Victorian Romantic Period Jewelry

Malaya or Malaia Garnet Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Choosing Your First Gemstones: A Rough Guide for Faceters

Gemstone Coatings: CVD and More

Garnet or Tourmaline?

Should I Cut this Natural Green Diamond?

Is this a Paraíba Tourmaline?

Is This Gem an Alexandrite?

Free Professional Business Listing<span>Get your company in front of 12,000 gem enthusiasts and professionals.</span>

Gemstone Buying Guides<span>Advice that you can trust written by industry experts, without the giant price tag.</span>

Professional Certification Programs<span>Only IGS Professional members are eligible to enroll in Professional Certification Programs</span>

Advanced Filters in our Gem Gallery<span>Filter images based on Gem State, Shape, Color, and Natural or Lab-Made</span>

Gem Identification Guides<span>Be confident in what you have and avoid the heartbreak and cost of identification mistakes.</span>

50% off all Mini Courses<span>Over $300 in savings</span>

In-Depth Premium Articles<span>Including 20 years of back catalog</span>

Gem Price Guide (accurate and up-to-date)<span>Reliable pricing data can cost hundreds through other sources. It’s included with IGS.</span>

Gem Enthusiast

Gem Enthusiast Annual

Gem Enthusiast Monthly

For Professionals and Dedicated Enthusiasts

Professional Certification Programs<span>Only IGS Professional members are eligible to enroll in Professional Certification Programs (additional $400 per certification course)</span>

More Advanced Filters in our Gem Gallery<span>Filter images based on all of the basic filters PLUS Transparency, Multi-Color, Pleochroism, Phenomena, Treatment, and Inclusions</span>

Access to All Mini Courses<span class='plan-features__description--highlighted'>$600 value included in your membership</span>

Professional

Professional Annual

Professional Monthly

Birthstone Chart

37 Blue Gemstones (Names, Pics, & More)

Gemstone Hardness and Wearability

10 Rare Engagement Ring Stones that Won’t Break the Bank

Appraising Turquoise: Challenges for Gemologists

Turquoise Treatments and Synthetics Guide

Traditional Turquoise Jewelry Styles

Turquoise Color and the Color Turquoise

<p>In 2012, Donald Clark retired and passed along stewardship of the IGS to the Rosen family, who were longtime members of IGS. Lisa Rosen runs the day-to-day operation of IGS and  <a href="https://www.ganoksin.com/">The Ganoksin Project, a technical resource website for bench jewelers and jewelry manufacturers</a>.  Lisa strongly believes that IGS must remain a cost-effective, accurate, and comprehensive resource for all those interested in gemology. IGS is our passion, and it is a family business.</p>


Lisa Rosen

<p>The late Donald Clark, CSM founded the International Gem Society in 1998. Donald started in the gem and jewelry industry in 1976. He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Society of Gemcutters (ASG). The letters &#8220;CSM&#8221; after his name stood for Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a designation of Wykoff&#8217;s ASG which has often been referred to as the doctorate of gem cutting. The American Society of Gemcutters only had 54 people reach this level. Along with dozens of articles for leading trade magazines, Donald authored the book &#8220;Modern Faceting, the Easy Way.&#8221;</p>


Donald Clark, CSM IMG

<p>Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC, founder and director of <a href="http://www.primagem.com/">8th Dimension Gems</a> in Thailand, is an American gem dealer with more than 40 years of experience in gemstone and fine jewelry mining, cutting, wholesaling and retailing. His career has taken him to more than 50 countries and every continent except Antarctica. He has appeared on the BBC, CNN, NBC, ABC and GEO; and has been featured in Time, USA Today, National Geographic, Gems &amp; Gemology and Discovery Channel magazine. He is a regular guest speaker at gem lab seminars and gemological association conferences and universities.</p>


Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC

<p>Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.</p>
<p>Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. <a href="https://www.joelarem.com/">joelarem.com</a></p>


Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

<p>Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG has Graduate Gemologist and Diamond Diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) the German Gemmological Association (DGemG) and Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GemA). <a href="http://birdamlasu.com/">birdamlasu.com</a></p>


Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG

<p>Barbara Smigel is a GIA certified gemologist, facetor, jewelry designer, gem dealer, gemology instructor and creator of the well-regarded educational websites <a href="http://www.acstones.com">acstones.com</a> and <a href="http://www.bwsmigel.info">bwsmigel.info</a>.</p>


Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG

<p>Dr. Gerald Wykoff is GG (Graduate Gemologist), a CSM (Certified Supreme Master gemcutter), educator, and author of several gemology books. He founded the American Society of Gemcutters in the 1980s and served for more than 10 years as the editor of its monthly magazine, American Gemcutter.</p>


Dr. Gerald Wykoff GG CSM

<p>A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison&#8217;s interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth&#8217;s geological processes began in her elementary school&#8217;s environmental club. When she isn&#8217;t writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.</p>


Addison Rice

<p>The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as <a href="https://rockpeddler.com/product-category/instructional-materials/"><em>Gram Faceting Designs</em></a>.</p>


Jeff R. Graham

<p>Bear Williams, CG, FGA (Hon), is President and Laboratory Director at <a href="https://stonegrouplabs.com/">Stone Group Laboratories</a>. Bear travels to gem producing countries and treating regions researching the latest trends in gemology and visiting with other lab directors. On-site research allows him to keep abreast of new synthetics and treatments in the marketplace. He regularly meets with other gemological associations and labs, and together will present research findings, and discuss the latest nomenclature or laboratory issues relevant to the trade and consumers. Recognized as an expert in the field of digital spectroscopy, Bear operates UV-Vis-NIR, ED-XRF, FTIR, UV, and Raman Spectrometers.</p>


Bear Williams

<p>Cara Williams, FGA, is Vice-President and Senior Staff Gemologist at <a href="https://stonegrouplabs.com/">Stone Group Laboratories</a>. Cara is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). She has been a tutor for the prestigious Diploma in Gemmology course for the Gem-A in London for more than 15 years. Growing up in a retail jewelry family with a concentration in colored stones, Cara has been in the wholesale trade since 1986. She brings a lifetime of experience working with gems to the lab, her students, and many published articles.</p>


Cara Williams

<p>Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP) is a gemologist with a passion for sharing his knowledge with fellow gem lovers. Originally from Ukraine, he is currently based in Bangkok, Thailand.</p>


Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP)

<p>Jim Buday was born and raised in Wisconsin. He attended college for biology, but realized that he preferred to work with his hands. He became a general contractor and home flipper. Jim then taught himself to cut gems by watching instructional YouTube videos and reading online forums. By 2019, he was confident enough in his skills to pursue selling his work. He founded the Reddit thread, Shinypreciousgems, which now sits at more than 25,000 members. Jim now works with gems and jewelry full time, and has also partnered with several jewelers to offer settings to his gemstone clients. Recently, Jim started creating his own gem designs. In his free time, Jim enjoys the outdoors, working on his land, and is building a house with his girlfriend, Raeanna.</p>


Opal Specialist Mini Course

Summary of Opal Properties

IGS Admin

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