Information About the International Gem Society (IGS) - International Gem Society | International Gem Society IGS

IGS Background

Established in 1998, IGS is the largest online gemology resource and community.

A society is about people that are interconnected. Here at IGS, our passion for gemstones brings us together. IGS has members on every continent (except Antarctica) who range from seasoned professionals to the merely curious.

Aspiring Professionals

Accelerate your path towards a professional gemology career

Curious Enthusiasts

Learn key knowledge and skills to further pursue your passion

Lapidaries & Metalsmiths

Deepen your skillset for working with gemstones in jewelry

Collectors & Private Dealers

Price and quality guidance on over 70 types of gemstones

" I very much liked the Diamond Specialist Course, it is excellent, as comprehensive as it could be, and its structure offers all the theoretical and practical knowledge for grading and evaluating diamonds. Moreover, IGS related articles complement and consolidate what you learned during the course. "
Daniel PenescuIGS Member
" I have been faceting gems as a hobby and just wanted to learn more about what I was really doing. I have gotten hooked now and really enjoyed your course. It is very well done . I'm going to see where this may lead me in the future now. Thank you all so much! "
James MullinIGS Member
" I have never known or heard of an organization that offers so much for its members, and at such a low cost. What started as a hobby in 1998 and now is a small home business for my wife and I has been made so much easier by the information you supply. Thank you. "
Ernest and Peggy Roisch, Rainbow Rocks, LTD IGS Member
" You know the best thing that I have learnt from your great courses is that it does not matter how much you think you know about gems, you never stop learning, each day there is something more learn, it will never stop. Thank all for the help, education and support that you give IGS members. "
Peter CheckleyIGS Member

The management and advisory team at IGS is a diverse group of professionals committed to delivering our mission.

Seth and Lisa Rosen

Lisa Rosen

Company Management

In 2012, Donald Clark retired and passed along stewardship of the IGS to the Rosen family, who were longtime members of the IGS. Lisa Rosen runs the day-to-day operation of IGS and The Ganoksin Project, a technical resource website for bench jewelers and jewelry manufacturers. Lisa strongly believes that IGS...

Meet Lisa Rosen

Donald Clark, CSM

Donald Clark, CSM IMG

Founder

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 "CSM" after his name stood for Certified Supreme...

Meet Donald Clark, CSM IMG

Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC

Vice President Emeritus

Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC, founder and director of 8th Dimension Gems 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....

Meet Jeffery Bergman, SSEF SGC

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Contributor

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...

Meet Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG

Contributor

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). birdamlasu.com

Meet Fatma Oya Borahan, GG, FGG

Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG

Contributor

Barbara Smigel is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, faceter, jewelry designer, gem dealer, gemology instructor and creator of the well-regarded educational websites acstones.com and bwsmigel.info.

Meet Barbara Smigel, PhD. GG

Dr. Gerald Wykoff GG CSM

Contributor

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.

Meet Dr. Gerald Wykoff GG CSM

Addison Rice

Staff Writer

A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison's interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth's geological processes began in her elementary school's environmental club. When she isn't writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.

Meet Addison Rice

Jeff R. Graham

Contributor

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 Gram Faceting Designs.

Meet Jeff R. Graham

Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP)

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.

Meet Kyrylo Gubariev, Graduate Gemologist (GG, AJP)

Jim Buday, Lapidarist

Jim Buday was born and raised in Wisconsin. He founded the Reddit thread, Shinypreciousgems, which now sits at more than 25,000 members. Recently, Jim started creating his own gem designs.

Meet Jim Buday, Lapidarist