Celebrating over four decades in Yangon
Knowledge you can trust.
Founded in 1978, Yangon Gemological Institute & Laboratory (YGIL) provides independent gemological education and laboratory reports for Myanmar's gem trade.
Explore Courses Course Spotlight
Programmes available now
From foundational diamond grading to a full gemology diploma, our courses combine online theory with face-to-face practical lab sessions in Tamwe Township.
Basic Diamond Course
An introduction to the 4Cs, diamond handling, and the basics of diamond grading under 10x loupe.
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Advanced Diamond Course
A deeper dive into diamond grading, treatment detection and pricing for working professionals.
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Basic Gemology Course
A first structured introduction to coloured stone identification — covering the major gem species seen in the Myanmar trade.
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Advanced Gemology Course
An intensive coloured stone programme for working gemologists — treatment detection, origin opinion and advanced identification.
Learn more A gemological institute in Yangon
Where science meets the craft of gems
Yangon sits at the crossroads of Asia's gem trade — a place where corundum, spinel, jade and other colored stones have been traded for centuries. Yangon Gemological Institute & Laboratory (YGIL) was founded to bring rigorous, internationally-aligned education and laboratory standards to that tradition.
Whether you are a trader who needs independent verification of a stone, a jeweller who wants formal training, or simply a curious enthusiast, YGIL offers a starting point grounded in practice.
The School
Learn gemology from working gemologists
Our instructors teach from direct experience with gemstones, dealers and laboratories across Myanmar. Each course pairs theory with hands-on practice using loupes, microscopes, refractometers and spectroscopes.
Discover the school → The Laboratory
Independent gemstone testing & reports
YGIL is also an independent gem testing laboratory. Stones may be submitted for identification, treatment determination, diamond grading, and origin opinion reports.
Tour the lab → What students say
Stories from the YGIL classroom
Hear from traders, jewellers, and hobbyists who have completed YGIL programmes and used our lab services.
The Basic Diamond Course gave me the confidence to evaluate stones before I buy. The instructor's practical tips are now part of my daily routine.
I took the GIA diploma via distance e-learning through YGIL. The in-person lab weeks kept me honest — it's much harder to bluff your way through a microscope.
Submitting a stone for an origin report was simple. The report explained every observation in plain language. I'll bring my other stones back.
Ready to start?
Begin your gemology journey with YGIL
Browse the full course catalog, learn more about our laboratory, or send us a question — we typically reply within two working days.