My main goal is to become a GIA (gemological Institute of America) GG (Graduate Gemologist). I have already ordered one of the distance learning courses through them. There are 6 courses in all for this degree.. 3 of them are hands on extension courses. However, this is very expensive and will take a long time in financing the whole course. So I also became a member of the IGS (International Gemology Society) at www.IGS.com for $44.00 a year. This site has all the information I need to become certified and will give me the working knowledge so that when i can afford all the courses from the GIA, i will have a learning advantage.