Due to popular demand, the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences has opened classrooms in the heart of the gem and jewelry district, in the Rama Jewelry Building on Silom Road. Classes available at the new location include Introduction to Colored Stones, Gem Identification I and Diamond Grading and Appraising.

            AIGS, which will continue to offer its full range of classes leading to the Accredited Gemologist program at its headquarters on Rachadapisek Road, plans to expand its classroom space on Silom to offer students the conveniences of two locations.

            In 1992, 61 students from 14 countries completed AIGS course programs. The group included students from Belgium, Burma, Canada, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Korea, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States. Of the 61 students, five students completed the Jewelry Arts Program to receive the Jewelry Designer Diploma and 57 students completed the Accredited Gemologist Program.

            The Jewelry Arts Program consisted of three courses: Jewelry Techniques (four weeks), Jewelry Design (five weeks) and Jewelry Making (four weeks).

            The Accredited Gemologist Diplomat Program is an intense and comprehensive program consisting of six courses which normally requires about the nine months to complete. These include Gem Identification I (eight weeks), Diamond Grading (three weeks), Colored Stone Grading (three weeks), Colored Stone and Diamond Appraising (two weeks), Synthetic Gem Identification (four weeks) and Gem Identification II (15 weeks).