[MABE BRAZIL]

Hi all,
is there any information about the new pearl course of gia?

Regards

Ricardo

[jshepherd]

At this point it will probably be sometime in 2009. They are going to be taking the course online like they are doing with Colored Stones and others. This, of course, ads a lot more work to the project. But in the end it will bring GIA technologically up to speed and make the course a lot more available to anyone, anywhere. I think it is a really good move.

[john675]

I am quite excited to hear that. Doing it online would be a real boon - I wonder how many here would sign up?I'm interested...

[Mervione]

I think I would. I´ve been interested for a while. It´s good that I go to London so often, means I could take the grading course easily too.

[Mikeyy]

That info was fortunate timing. Thanks

[Caitlin]

I think the online course is a great idea. There are two people in my house who want to do it!

[Nerida]

Yes - I'm in as well! The grading course isn't available in Australia - very sad! The Australian Jeweller's Association doesn't run any pearl courses at all, as far as my information goes, so the online idea is perfect! I really hope it is next year...

[Heidi]

This is thrilling - seriously. I am using this as bait to get myself to do some other professional licensy development paperwork and studying in the next year. I love what I do but studying about pearls is FAR more interesting.

[barbie biggs]

This is a great idea! It is often so difficult to get away to take a class. Flight plans, hotels, meals away from home. It gets really expensive. Of course the flip side is it's a great excuse to get away and meet new people. But maybe this way I'll actually be able to take the course pretty soon. Yeah!
Thanks Jeremy for the info.
There weren't any computers in school when I was a kid. They didn't exist in the 60's. I'm so glad I took the time to learn a little bit about using one.
(That way I could find the Pearl Guide and get addicted to pearls.....)

[barbie biggs]

"This, of course, ads a lot more work to the project."
Jeremy Shepherd

I thought computers were supposed to help us do less paperwork. I can't remember it ever really working out that way. Mostly, it seems to just make a lot more things possible. More technology. College degrees online. Pearl Guide. But we still have to do a lot of things on paper.
Didn't Dr. McCoy say "The only constant in the universe is change"? Guess I'll have to change my idea about less paperwork. Pooh.
barbie