United States Gemological Institute

USGI......NOT FOR BEGINNERS Gem Identification Class!

OK, here is the question: How many of you would be interested in a 3 or 4 day event where you could have access to over 500 gemstones: natural, created, and treated, for years worth of gem identification experience in a few days span? You would need to bring your own equipment with the exception of microscopes, that we would ask Alex Kessler Teiber and GemOro up to help us with. Location: Dallas, Texas. Time: Sometime in July or August. How Long: 3 - 4 days. We could do this for about $500.00 per person if we can get at least 10 people to pay for the hotel meeting room. Who would be interested? We have a HUGE variety of treated and created donated by Chatham Gems, and just about anything you can imagine in natural, created, and treated diamonds from the USGI Student Reference Collection, Tom Chatham, and Dror Yehuda. No noobs. No beginners. Just 3 or 4 days of balls-to-the-wall gem identification with everything you can imagine. Who would realistically be in to do this? Let me know your thoughts. DM me or post below. Rj See less

Make Gemology Affordable Again!

The future of the jewelry industry depends on making education accessible again.

During my studies for a Higher Education Teaching Certificate through Harvard University, I had the opportunity to work alongside educators from many academic disciplines. Most held PhDs in their respective fields and were preparing to teach at colleges and universities around the world. During our discussions, it became increasingly clear just how out of balance gemology education costs have become compared to many far more advanced fields of study.

This reinforced my goal I set 22 years ago when I first started the United States Gemological Institute (originally the ISG): Make Gemology Affordable Again. Read more in todays newsletter here:

https://usgemology.com/usgi-make-gemology-affordable-again/

Everyone please note: The Documenting Damaged Jewelry Webinar originally scheduled for tomorrow May 12 has been moved to next Tuesday, May 19. We had an unexpected scheduling issue that is of such importance that we must make this change.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United States Gemological Institute Launches Insurance Industry Outreach Supporting RGA Credential and Recertification Standards

San Antonio, Texas — May 4, 2026 — The United States Gemological Institute (USGI) has announced a nationwide outreach initiative to insurance professionals aimed at strengthening confidence in jewelry appraisal practices through the promotion of its Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA) credential and annual Recertification Seal (2026–2027).

The initiative, directed toward insurance agents, adjusters, and claims professionals, encourages the recognition and use of appraisals prepared by actively certified RGAs as a means of improving valuation consistency, reducing claim disputes, and supporting defensible replacement values.

“Jewelry appraisals play a critical role in the insurance process, yet the industry continues to face challenges related to inconsistent grading, outdated documentation, and unsupported valuation conclusions,” said Robert James, founder of the United States Gemological Institute. “Our outreach is designed to give insurance professionals a clear, visual standard they can rely on—one that reflects current competency, not just past credentials.”

At the center of the initiative is the USGI RGA Recertification Seal, a designation applied to appraisal reports prepared by gemologists who have completed ongoing training and met current professional standards for the 2026–2027 certification period.

Unlike one-time credentials, the USGI recertification model emphasizes continuous education and real-world application, ensuring that participating appraisers remain aligned with evolving market conditions, treatment disclosures, and valuation methodologies.

Raising the Standard Across the Industry

USGI’s outreach effort also serves as a call to action for jewelry professionals, appraisers, and retailers to adopt higher standards of accountability and transparency in their appraisal practices.

By aligning with recertified professionals, the jewelry trade can:

Strengthen credibility with insurance carriers
Reduce friction in the claims process
Support accurate and defensible valuation practices
Enhance consumer trust in appraisal documentation
“This is not about excluding professionals,” James added. “It’s about elevating the standard across the board. The more consistent and defensible our appraisals are, the stronger the entire jewelry industry becomes.”

A Bridge Between Jewelry and Insurance

The initiative reflects USGI’s broader mission to serve as a bridge between the jewelry trade and the insurance sector through education, certification, and forensic expertise.

With decades of experience in gemology, valuation, and insurance investigations, USGI continues to develop programs that address real-world challenges faced by both industries.

Insurance professionals participating in the outreach are encouraged to look for the USGI Certified 2026–2027 seal on appraisal reports and to prioritize documentation prepared by Registered Gemologist Appraisers.

About the United States Gemological Institute (USGI)

The United States Gemological Institute (USGI) is a leading provider of gemology and jewelry appraisal education, offering the Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA) program and continuing education for professionals worldwide. The USGI is a Continuing Education Provider of the Texas Department of Insurance, and others. USGI is committed to advancing practical gemological knowledge, ethical standards, and real-world expertise within the jewelry and insurance industries.

For more information, visit:

https://usgemology.com

Media Contact:

Robert James RGA, FGA, GG

Property and Casualty Adjuster, Texas Department of Insurance #1700433
United States Gemological Institute
Continuing Education Provider, Texas Department of Insurance #170536

[email protected]

210-464-1473

Morning Coffee with ChatGPT: When ‘Dupe’ Becomes Damage: The Fight for Authenticity

Human: Over the past few weeks, the USGI has been investigating the problem of “dupe” or replica products from a variety of sellers. The huge internet wholesale site, Faire.com, even has a special “David Yurman Dupe” category that brazenly touts fake David Yurman products. In this mornings Coffee with ChatGPT I thought we would check with AI to see the extent of the problem and how hometown jewelers can help deal with it. Here is our Friday Morning Coffee with ChatGPT conversation unedited.
https://icont.ac/51ha2

Coffee with ChatGPT: Are ‘Dupes’ Damaging Tiffany & Co. and David Yurman? Human: Over the past few weeks, the USGI has been investigating the problem of “dupe” or replica products from a variety of sellers. The huge internet wholesale site, Faire.com, even has a special “David Yurman Dupe” category that brazenly touts fake David Yurman products. In this mornings C...

USGI Newsletter: The “Old Wood” Effect and Memorial Diamonds

Memorial Diamonds are actually made from natural gas sourced carbon....according to science!

It is the one topic that the Memorial Diamond companies do not and will not talk about: the “Old Wood” effect. Why? Because it completely exposes the untold truth that Memorial Diamonds are a very well designed and equally cruel hoax. I will go so far as to call it fraud. We look at the facts based on independent scientific testing and reporting in today's newsletter:
https://usgemology.com/the-old-wood-effect-and-memorial-diamonds/

Inductive -v- Deductive Gem Identification Free YouTube Webinar
United States Gemological Institute April 25, 2026

A method to get 100% accurate gem identifications!
Inductive -v- Deductive Gem Identification is a 24-minute webinar video from the United States Gemological Institute (formerly the ISG) to teach you how to perform 100% accurate gemstone identifications. This video is based on a proven concept in gem identification that most gemology schools fail to teach. Inductive gem identification is time-consuming, burdensome, and can be very inaccurate. Deductive gem identification teaches you how to minimize the number of tests required and produce more accurate identifications. It is taught by the Gem-A in London and the USGI in the United States. This video is from the Registered Gemologist Appraiser program at the United States Gemological Institute (formerly the International School of Gemology). Here is the link to this important YouTube Webinar:

United States Gemological Institute 51 likes. "Inductive v Deductive Gem Identification: USGI Journey Thru Gemology Online Classroom"

USGI: Iranian Gemstones & U.S. Sanctions: What Every Dealer Needs to Know

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals. These sanctions are targeted against countries, regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and others considered threats to the United States. Among the key countries subject to OFAC sanctions is Iran. In 2008, Iran was designated a terrorist state by the U.S. Department of State and strict restrictions were put into place for all U.S. citizens, both domestic and abroad. These restrictions apply to all U.S. citizen gem dealers no matter where you are located. Get the full report in today's USGI newsletter:
https://usgemology.com/iranian-gemstones-u-s-sanctions-what-every-dealer-needs-to-know/

USGI Title Holder Announcement: 2,000 Insurance Offices to receive USGI RGA and RG services outreach.

To USGI Title Holders:

This is an important email to inform you of a major upcoming promotional outreach by the USGI for our RGA and RG title holders. We have compiled a distribution list of over 2,000 insurance agents and adjusters from some of the largest insurers of personal property in the world. They will be receiving a special outreach to promote our USGI title holder service and directing these insurance professionals to always look for the USGI Certification seal (example is above) on an appraiser’s website. This seal is currently available to all active USGI RGA and RG title holders from the USGI office.

To participate: this specific USGI seal must be placed on the front page of your website by May 3rd. The seal can be resized to fit the formatting of your site. We can assist with other formats and sizes if required.

I want to stress that this promotion is being sent jointly by our Global Claims Associates and USGI email systems so the insurance industry reception will be solid. We are also completing a 2,000 member distribution outreach to the largest personal property law offices later in May.

These are part of your USGI commitment to your success. Please review your listing in the Registry to ensure that your information is correct as the outreach will include a verification link to the Registry page on the Global Claims Associates.

USGI Title holders can obtain your active title holder seal by contacting the USGI office.

https://usgemology.com

USGI Registered Gemologist Appraiser Program $2,995.00

The New American Standard in Gemology Education TM

The Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA) Program at the United States Gemological Institute prepares professionals to accurately identify, value, and document jewelry and gemstones for insurance, estate, and legal purposes. As a Certified Insurance Continuing Education Provider, we offer this program at a fraction of the cost of other institutes who teach gemology only. Plus...

This is not retail gemology like the other institutes.

This is professional appraisal authority.

✔️ Comprehensive gemology & appraisal training

✔️ Insurance and expert witness–aligned methodology

✔️ Flexible, affordable distance education and support.

Free Gem Equipment Package with RGA Enrollment — Limited Supply Available 3 SETS LEFT.

https://usgemology.com/course/registered-gemologist-appraiser-diploma-program/