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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;desertgem, post: 978160, member: 15199&quot;]Coins and related paper goods are not the only ones affected by the economy. Gemstones are in a similar &quot;bed&quot; as numismatics. There, we have our scammers and counterfeiters also. Not only are artificial stones, such as ruby and sapphire manufactured to such perfection, that their lack of defects often are the things that label them manmade. There is the similarity to AT of coins, in gemstones, many if not most of the colors not seen before 1960 are now generated by irradiating them ( much in cobalt 60 facilities in Pakistan, but in other countries also) such that the stones change color. Topaz was a very rare stone in blue, until it was found that radiation can make them blue. Now go to Costco or Walmart and look at all of the blue topaz. The jewels you see on HSN are like the coins seen on similar TV shows, almost worthless.</p><p><br /></p><p>But one thing that Gemology has more of than Numismatics is professional classes and training. From actual college campus classrooms to online courses leading to respected certification and degrees. Check out this free online course and translate it into your mind as if it was dealing with coins rather than gemstones.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.bwsmigel.info/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.bwsmigel.info/" rel="nofollow">http://www.bwsmigel.info/</a></p><p><br /></p><p>You can also take the course for college credit, and there are others.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just a couple of days ago , a newbie pops into the gem forum and wants to know how to become a rare gem dealer. Does that sound familiar? He though he could travel around the world to buy rare gems from &quot; unknowing&quot; native people and then come back and sell for tremendous profits. It was explained to him that he needs a tremendous amount of knowledge and training or he will end up buying trash and losing his shirt. Ask our service men who buy rare gems in Irag and Afghanistan. </p><p><br /></p><p>Without strong and continuing education, numismatics will suffer badly. ANA is trying hard, but it is time for formal education and degrees/certificates to do so also. I am surprised that PCGS or NGC corporations do not purchase an on-line education company and do this.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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