GJ Course Library


Please find the library of GJ courses offered by ASA including both introductory and advanced courses.

Course Description

This course will introduce participants to the fundamental concepts and the basic knowledge needed to write an appraisal report. Among the topics covered are ethics, competency, three primary roles of an appraiser, three approaches to value, market types and layers, basic research concepts, recognizing jewelry manufacturing methods and their influence on the appraisal process, introduction to methods of data collection and analysis, and minimal reporting standards including an overview of the ASA Descriptive Elements for various types of jewelry. The course is based on the concepts engendered in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and the ASA appraisal standards taught in the Gems & Jewelry (GJ) Principles of Valuation series of courses.

This is an introductory course and does not contain the same level of explanation and instruction students receive in the 120 hours of the ASA-GJ Principles of Valuation course series.

Course Audience

  • Gemology students considering pursuing a career as a gems and jewelry valuer
  • Retail jewelers or their personnel who provide valuation services for their customers
  • Gemological laboratory personnel providing valuation services
  • Insurance professionals, auctioneers and attorneys seeking exposure to and a basic understanding of the requirements for valuation of gems and jewelry

Instructional Methods

Instructional methods include class lecture with a corresponding slideshow, a question & answer session / live chat (for the live virtual presentation format), links to further information, and the downloadable Student Manual.

Course Description

This course will provide appraisers with an in-depth understanding of the essential principles and theories of valuation and the necessary base of knowledge required to competently appraise gems and jewelry.  The ideas, concepts, and methodologies presented in GJ201 form the core fundamentals that will carry through all of the other GJ Principles of Value courses.  The material in GJ201 is built upon the concepts, vocabulary and expectations of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).  Basic economic theory will be covered including an understanding of how macroeconomics and local economic forces impact jewelry valuation.  Specific emphasis will be placed on core concepts such as ethics, competency, privacy, responsibilities of the appraiser, the three (3) approaches to valuation, types of markets and their various levels, definitions of value, the client / intended user / appraiser relationship, and the ASA-GJ Descriptive Elements for the various types of gems / jewelry appraisers are likely to encounter.

Instructional Methods

Materials will be presented utilizing lecture and visual aids with student understanding enhanced through group discussions of focused assignments that will be completed in-class and between sessions.  The class will be highly interactive and students are encouraged to ask questions at any time.  There are also pre-course reading requirements (see below).

Course Audience

This course in intended for those interested in pursuing a career in appraising gems and jewelry, currently practicing appraisers, and insurance industry professionals who regularly rely on gem and jewelry appraisals for coverage decisions.

Required Pre-Course Reading

Students are required to purchase and have available during class the following texts/documents:
• Personal Property Monographs #s: 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13
• USPAP text (current version, which is 2020-2021 for this year's courses)
• Gems & Jewelry Descriptive Elements (provided in the appendix of the student manual)

The following is the REQUIRED PRE-COURSE READING list (there may be a quiz the 1st day):
• USPAP: Preamble, Rules, Definitions
• PP Monographs #s: 1, 3, 8, 13
• GJ Descriptive Elements

Course Description

This course will provide appraisers with an in-depth understanding of the essential principles and processes necessary to develop and report an appraisal for the intended use of insurance scheduling.  The focus of the course is the practical application of the principles learned in GJ201 with USPAP Standard 7 and Standard 8 forming the basis for the development and reporting of a gems and jewelry appraisal.  Students will receive a thorough understanding of when and how to apply the primary approaches to valuation, recognizing and ranking relevant characteristics of specific types of property, core concepts of data research and reconciliation, narrative report writing and the required elements of a USPAP-compliant and ASA-compliant report.  To receive credit for the course students will construct a new appraisal report or will modify an existing appraisal report of a single item of jewelry to demonstrate their understanding of and competency in the material presented in class.

Successful completion of GJ202 is required for GJ accreditation through ASA.

Instructional Methods

Materials will be presented utilizing lecture and visual aids with student understanding enchanced through group discussions of focused assignments that will be completed in-class and between sessions. The class will be highly interactive and students are encouraged to ask question at any time. Pre-course reading requirements are also required. Please see below.

Course Audience

This course in intended for those interested in pursuing a career in appraising gems and jewelry, currently practicing appraisers, and insurance industry professionals who regularly rely on gem and jewelry appraisals for coverage decisions.

Pre-Requisites

For those seeking accreditation with ASA, the GJ courses should be take in order starting with GJ201.  For those seeking education only (ie not seeking accreditation) the courses may be taken out of order; however, pre-approval is required.  Please contact us at education@appraisers.org .  If you have previously taken PG201 or PP201 and wish to register for this course, please email education@appraisers.org so we may evaluate your request on a case by case basis.

Please also ensure that your USPAP is up-to-date.

Required Pre-Course Reading

Students are required to purchase and have available during class the following texts/documents:
• Jewelry Appraiser's Handbook
• Personal Property Monographs #s: 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7
• USPAP text (current version)
• Gems & Jewelry Descriptive Elements (provided in the appendix of the student manual)

Pre-course Reading list:
• Personal Property Monographs: 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7
• USPAP Standard 7
• GJ Descriptive Elements

Pre-Requisites

In order to take GJ202 you must complete GJ201. If you have previously taken PG201, PP201, or you have not taken GJ201 but wish to register for this course, please email education@appraisers.org so we may evaluate your request on a case by case basis.

Please also ensure that your USPAP is up-to-date.  

Course Description

This course is primarily intended for appraisers who already have a good understanding of appraising jewelry for scheduling insurance and a foundation in the expectations for development and reporting engendered in USPAP Standards 7 and 8.  The intended uses covered in this course require methodologies and abilities that go beyond basic “cost approach” valuations.  Students will be introduced to most of the intended uses that a professional gems and jewelry appraiser might be asked to provide; many of which may expose the appraiser’s report to possible litigation scenarios or review by the IRS. Students will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and confidence to complete challenging assignments such as appraising for estate tax, charitable donation, equitable distribution, insurance loss claims, litigation support, and dissolution of a marriage, to name a few. The curriculum of GJ203 builds upon the terminology, methodology, and valuation theory taught in GJ201 and GJ202.  Students will increase their competency in methods of research, analysis of comparable sales, reconciliation of analyzed data and the composition of a convincing argument to support their value opinion.  GJ203 is required for members working toward their accreditation with ASA and is recommended for designated ASA members who wish to stay current in their appraisal practice and complete the Appraisal Foundation’s required 20 hours of Principles of Value education during each 5 year reaccreditation cycle.

Pre-requisites

All students must be current with USPAP 2020-2021 (7-hour or 15-hour).  Experience preparing a researched appraisal for gems and jewelry is required.  For those seeking accreditation with ASA, the GJ courses should be taken in order starting with GJ201. For those seeking education only (i.e. not seeking accreditation) the courses may be taken out of order; however, pre-approval is required. Please contact us at education@appraisers.org. If you have previously taken PG201, PG202 or PP202 and wish to register for this course, please email education@appraisers.org so we may evaluate your request on a case by case basis.

Requirements

A final Appraisal Report will be required for completion of the course.  Active participation in discussions and completion of all out-of-class assignments is required.

Course Audience

This course is intended for practicing Gems and Jewelry appraisers, those who intend to pursue a career in appraising, and professionals who regularly rely on gems and jewelry appraisal reports.

Instructional Methods

This course is delivered as a live (virtual) lecture/discussion combined with student exercises and reading assignments that will be completed outside of class and discussed in class. There will be a required final appraisal report in order to receive credit for the class.  Emphasis is placed on student participation in discussions as well as course related activities.