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Canadian Gemmological Association

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Canadian Gemmological Association

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The Canadian Gemmological Association (CGA) is a Canada-wide professional organization which has set standards in the practice of gemmology.

The Canadian Gemmological Association offers Vocational and General Interest Courses in its Toronto Location. Affiliate schools in California and Vancouver offer our Vocatonal program.

10/14/2026

Happening next week! 🪸✨

Join Tania Ivaniouchkina for From Sea to Masterpiece: The Story of Mediterranean Corals in Torre del Greco and Naples, as she explores how Mediterranean coral makes its journey from the sea to becoming beautiful jewellery and works of art.

Discover the history, traditions, craftsmanship, and beauty behind the famous coral-working centres of Torre del Greco and Naples.

Our speaker, Tania Ivaniouchkina, has had a lifelong passion for gems. After working as an engineer in Ukraine and spending 28 years as a high school teacher in Toronto, she found her true calling in gemmology and became a Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association.

An avid traveller, Tania seeks out places renowned for gems and jewellery, learning about their history and traditions directly from their source. Her recent travels have taken her to Lithuania and Poland, where she explored the history and traditions of amber; Torre del Greco and Naples in Italy, where she learned about Mediterranean coral; and Erbach, Germany, a historic centre of ivory carving, among many other places. Her dream is to visit Coober Pedy, Australia, and perhaps discover the biggest, brightest opal ever!

Open to all.

📍 CGA Classroom, 55 Queen St East, Suite #105, Toronto, ON M5C1R6
🎤 Speaker: Tania Ivaniouchkina

✉️ For more information, please email [email protected] or visit www.cgagem.com

10/12/2026

The CGA wishes everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

10/09/2026

Please note that the CGA office will be closed from Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET and will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET.

The CGA wishes everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend! 🦃🍂

10/08/2026

From the sea to the jewellery bench, Mediterranean coral has a fascinating story. 🪸✨

Join Tania Ivaniouchkina for From Sea to Masterpiece: The Story of Mediterranean Corals in Torre del Greco and Naples, as she explores how Mediterranean coral makes its journey from the sea to becoming beautiful jewellery and works of art.

Discover the history, traditions, craftsmanship, and beauty behind the famous coral-working centres of Torre del Greco and Naples.

Our speaker, Tania Ivaniouchkina, has had a lifelong passion for gems. After working as an engineer in Ukraine and spending 28 years as a high school teacher in Toronto, she found her true calling in gemmology and became a Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association.

An avid traveller, Tania seeks out places renowned for gems and jewellery, learning about their history and traditions directly from their source. Her recent travels have taken her to Lithuania and Poland, where she explored the history and traditions of amber; Torre del Greco and Naples in Italy, where she learned about Mediterranean coral; and Erbach, Germany, a historic centre of ivory carving, among many other places. Her dream is to visit Coober Pedy, Australia, and perhaps discover the biggest, brightest opal ever!

Open to all.

📍 CGA Classroom, 55 Queen St East, Suite #105, Toronto, ON M5C1R6
🎤 Speaker: Tania Ivaniouchkina

✉️ For more information, please email [email protected] or visit www.cgagem.com

10/07/2026

Our future gemmologists are already exploring! 🔬💎

At the Ancaster Gem Show, young visitors had the chance to learn about natural and synthetic gemstones and see how different stones react under UV light and fluorescence.

And the best part? They got to take a few synthetic gems home to continue their exploration! ✨

10/05/2026

Celebrating October’s Birthstone: Opal 🌈💎

Opal is famous for its mesmerizing play-of-colour—a phenomenon created when light interacts with the microscopic structure of the stone, producing flashes of different colours across its surface.

But did you know opal was once considered an unlucky gemstone?

The superstition became widespread in 19th-century Europe following the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s 1829 novel Anne of Geierstein. In the story, an enchanted opal loses its colour after being touched by holy water, followed by the death of its wearer. The story was widely associated with a dramatic decline in European demand for opal.

But long before this reputation took hold, opal was highly prized. Ancient Romans and Greeks regarded it as a symbol of hope, purity, and good fortune, admiring its ability to display the colours of many gemstones in a single stone. Centuries later, Queen Victoria helped challenge the superstition in Britain by wearing opals herself and gifting them to her daughters.

Today, as October’s birthstone, opal is celebrated for its beauty and often associated with hope, creativity, and good fortune.

A gemstone with a history just as fascinating as its colour. ✨

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

10/02/2026

🤍🫧 Pearl & Bead Stringing

Historically, pearls have adorned royalty — symbols of wealth, purity, and refinement. 🐚⚪

In this 6-hour course, you’ll learn the art of pearl stringing, from selecting and preparing your materials to creating a professional-quality finished piece. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, this hands-on session will guide you through essential skills like knotting, threading, and securing clasps. 🪡

📅 October 17, 2026
📍 Toronto, ON

Register now via our website, [email protected] or call 1-877-CGA-GEMM (US & Canada only)!

Please note, pre-registration for this course must be no later than three (3) days before the class is to start.

09/30/2026

Happening THIS WEEK! 🐚

Our new 5-hour course explores the luminous world of opals, their mesmerizing play-of-colour and timeless allure. As October’s birthstone and one of nature’s most unique gems, opals offer an exciting lens into gemmology.

Designed for curious learners and jewellery lovers alike, the course offers a relaxed, hands-on experience and you’ll learn how to spot, appreciate, and care for these magical stones.

Participants will use a jeweller’s loupe to help them spot the subtleties that make each opal one-of-a-kind. Whether fiery black opals or soft pastel white ones, students will explore how to identify, evaluate, and care for these captivating stones before purchasing.

When: October 3, 2026 — 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM ET
Where: CGA Classroom, Toronto — 55 Queen St East, Suite #105, Toronto, Ontario M5C1R6 Canada

Photo Credit: Kourosh Mirabian

Please visit www.cgagem.com OR our toll-free number 1-877-CGA-GEMM (US and Canada only) for more information or to sign up!

09/29/2026

Happening TOMORROW! 🪾💎

Wood might not be the first material that comes to mind when you think of gems, but it has been used in jewellery and ornament for thousands of years. From its natural grain and texture to the warmth it brings to a piece, wood continues to find its place in jewellery—even in contemporary designs.

Join Duncan Parker as he explores the fascinating use of wood as a gem material and the many ways it has been incorporated into jewels. 🪵

Mr. Parker is Vice-President of the Canadian Gemmological Association and Vice-President of Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers.

📅 September 30, 2026
🕐 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET
💻 Zoom
💰 FREE for CGA current paid 2026 members | Non-Members: $25

✉️ To register, please email [email protected]

09/28/2026

Discover the brilliance of diamonds ✨

Join us for a 5-hour course that makes learning about diamonds simple, practical, and engaging. Explore how diamonds are formed, their unique physical and optical properties, the artistry behind cutting and polishing, and how the 4Cs—cut, clarity, colour, and carat weight—shape their beauty and value. You’ll also gain hands-on experience using a loupe and diamond tweezers.

📅 Date: November 7, 2026
📍 Location: CGA Classroom, 55 Queen St East, Suite #105, Toronto

Register today by reaching out via email at [email protected], or 1-877-CGA-GEMM (US & Canada only).

Address

55 Queen Street E
Toronto, ON
M5C1R6

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16474662436

Website

http://www.cgagem.com/

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