ING - Institut National de Gemmologie

What ING - Institut National de Gemmologie does

ING - Institut National de Gemmologie is a private French higher education institution founded in 1967, specializing in gemmology and operating two campuses in Paris (15th arrondissement) and Lyon (7th arrondissement). The institution delivers a three-year Bachelor Gemmologue Expert program (BAC+3) that prepares students for the European FEEG examination and the RNCP Level 6 certification (RNCP n°39607) issued under Groupe EAC-ING and ADE Holding authority. Core pedagogy is anchored by a physical collection of more than 27,000 gem specimens used for hands-on identification and laboratory work, supplemented by standard gemmological instruments (loupe, refractometer, dichroscope, polariscope, spectroscope, microscope) and blended e-learning modules.

The product portfolio extends beyond the Bachelor to include professional certifications (Certificat Expertise de Gemmes, Certificat Transaction de Gemmes, both mapping to RNCP blocks), a four-level Formation Gemmologique (Cycles 1–2), the Cycle Diamant (with optional Antwerp field trip), 14 thematic workshops, and customized corporate training. Pricing for individual learners ranges from €1,750 for blended diamond training to €10,850 for the Certificat Expertise de Gemmes; enterprise pricing sits 25–30% above individual rates. The third year of the Bachelor can be completed as an apprenticeship (alternance), with training costs funded through OPCO employer partnerships, while selected programs are CPF-eligible.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees (Bachelor), professional certification fees, and enterprise training contracts, with a smaller apprenticeship/OPCO-funded stream and post-graduation lifetime access to the Luxury.Careers alumni platform (52 modules, job board, mentorship). The institution operates as part of the AD Education network — a conglomerate of 19 schools and 70 campuses serving 36,000+ students across France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the UK — and holds memberships in CIBJO and FEEG. The customer base comprises individual learners, jewellery and luxury professionals, and B2B employer partners recruiting alumni into roles across jewellery houses, auction houses, insurance companies, customs services, and tribunals.

Name

ING - Institut National de Gemmologie

Legal name

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE GEMMOLOGIE, Société par actions simplifiées

Website

https://ingemmologie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ING - Institut National de Gemmologie is a private French higher education institution founded in 1967, operating campuses in Paris and Lyon to deliver Bachelor, professional certification, and continuing education programs in gemmology, serving individual learners, jewellery professionals, and luxury-sector employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gemmology Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Program & Portfolio Management Certifications (EDAAANAB)

Keywords

• Gemmology education
• Professional certification training
• Jewelry industry education
• Gemstone identification courses
• Luxury sector training

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees — Bachelor programs: The primary revenue stream is tuition fees paid by students for degree programs (Bachelor). Fees range from €8,800–€11,000 per year depending on campus and year of study, payable in 1, 3, or 6 installments. Non-EU students must pay in full by July 15. Additional fees include dossier fees (€200–€500), and an optional technical pack.
2. Continuing/professional education fees: Revenue from short professional courses, thematic workshops, and certification programs (e.g., Certificat Expertise de Gemmes at €10,850 per individual; Certificat Transaction de Gemmes at €1,900). Pricing differs for individuals vs. companies. Also includes à la carte professional training modules (Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Diamond Cycle) priced at €300–€4,180 per module.
3. Apprenticeship/alternance financing: Third-year Bachelor students can pursue apprenticeships under a professional training contract. Training costs are fully or partially covered by the OPCO (Opérateur de Compétences) of the employer's sector, reducing direct revenue from the student while creating employer partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ING - Institut National de Gemmologie is a private higher education institution that trains gemmologists through a three-year Bachelor Gemmologue Expert degree (RNCP Level 6-certified), professional certification programs (Certificat Expertise de Gemmes, Certificat Transaction de Gemmes), a four-level Formation Gemmologique (Cycles 1 & 2), the Cycle Diamant, and 14 à la carte thematic workshops, delivered across Paris and Lyon campuses and via blended/e-learning formats. The institution also offers customized enterprise training and post-graduation career support through the Luxury.Careers alumni platform.

Product overview

ING - Institut National de Gemmologie operates as an educational institution offering a unified platform of gemmology training programs. The core offering is the three-year Bachelor Gemmologue Expert degree (BAC+3), which prepares students for the RNCP Gemmologue-expert certification (Level 6) and European FEEG examination. This is complemented by professional certification programs including Certificat Expertise de Gemmes and Certificat Transaction de Gemmes (both blocks of RNCP 39607), as well as a four-level Formation Gemmologique (Cycles 1-2) and specialized Cycle Diamant training. The institution also offers flexible learning through 14 Stages Thématiques (thematic workshops), customizable Stages Sur-Mesure, and the Stage Découverte Lycéen for orientation. Post-graduation, alumni access the Luxury.Careers online platform with 52 modules for continuous learning, career services, job board, and mentorship. The product portfolio functions as a cohesive educational ecosystem from initial discovery through professional certification and lifelong career support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Gemmologue Expert Three-year (BAC+3) undergraduate degree covering identification, grading, valuation, and expertise of gemstones and precious metals, including hands-on work with the 27,000+ specimen pedagogical collection. Prepares students for the European FEEG gemmology diploma and the French RNCP Gemmologue-expert certification (Level 6, n°39607). Available at Paris and Lyon campuses; year 3 may be completed as an alternance funded by OPCO.
• Formation Professionnelle — Expertise & Réglementation de Gemmes (EGT) Professional training cycle addressing jewellery professionals, commerce-sector workers, recent graduates of technical programs, and enthusiasts who want to consolidate skills or pivot into gemmology. Covers gem expertise competencies and regulatory frameworks.
• Certificat Expertise de Gemmes 70-hour professional certification covering gem expertise competencies (Bloc 1 and Bloc 2 of RNCP 39607). Prepares professionals for gem analysis, quality control, and jewellery consultation roles. Priced at €10,850 individual / €13,680 enterprise (includes dossier fees and kit). Delivered at Paris campus.
• Certificat Transaction de Gemmes 70-hour certification (30h e-learning on gemmology law + 35h in-person negotiation training) covering gem trading and commercial law (Bloc 3 of RNCP 39607). Priced at €1,900 individual / €2,500 enterprise. CPF-eligible. Available at Paris campus.
• Stage Découverte Lycéen

Quantifiable outcome

• 91.67% of Bachelor Gemmologue Expert graduates are in active employment in their field within 6 months of graduation (Promotion 2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Luxury.CareerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022The Luxury.Careers platform was launched in 2022 as the alumni network for ING and other AD Education schools. It connects students, alumni, and recruiters from hundreds of partner companies via an internal messaging system, job board, collaborative watchlist, events calendar, and exclusive Welcome to the Jungle partnership. The platform also hosts a mentoring space and 52 online training modules for alumni.
• AD Education NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerING is a member of the AD Education network, the first network of higher education institutions dedicated to creative professions. The network comprises 19 schools, 70 campuses, and 36,000+ students across France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the UK. Member schools collaborate on academic governance, double degrees, pedagogical exchanges, international development, and enterprise partnerships. The network also includes the AD Education Foundation, sheltered by Fondation de France, promoting equal opportunities.
• CIBJO (Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie Joaillerie et Orfèvrerie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerING is a member of CIBJO, the oldest international jewellery trade organization, which serves as the 'UN of Jewellery.' CIBJO promotes harmonization, international cooperation, and examines issues concerning jewellery trade worldwide. This membership provides ING with international credibility and industry connections.
• FEEG (Fédération Européenne de l'Enseignement en Gemmologie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1995, FEEG brings together the main European gemmology institutes. Each year, graduates from member institutions take the FEEG theoretical and practical exam to obtain the European gemmology diploma. ING is a member and prepares its students for this international examination.
• Welcome to the JungleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWelcome to the Jungle is a media platform focused on work and professional development. ING has an exclusive partnership with Welcome to the Jungle through the Luxury.Careers alumni platform to support each student's professional development.
• SafehouseminorOthersING, as a member of AD Education, offers its students housing options through the Safehouse platform, providing access to student accommodation listings.
• Nexity StudéaminorOthersING, as a member of AD Education, offers its students housing options through Nexity Studéa, a student residence and housing service, providing access to accommodation listings for students.
• OPCO (Opérateurs de compétences)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOPCOs (Skills Operators) are France's industry-funded training finance bodies. ING works with OPCOs to fund apprenticeship contracts (contrats d'apprentissage) for Bachelor 3 students, where training costs are fully or partially covered by the employer's OPCO. OPCOs also support continuing professional development funding for employees of member companies.
• Campus FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCampus France promotes French higher education worldwide through 200+ spaces and antennas globally. ING works with Campus France to guide international students through applications and visa processes, facilitating international student recruitment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HRD Antwerp: Belgian diamond-focused gemmology education and certification body, providing directly comparable diploma courses and diamond grading certifications that overlap with ING's Cycle Diamant offerings.
• IGI (International Gemological Institute): International gemmology school offering professional diamond and colored stone training programs across multiple countries, competing for the same pool of jewelry-industry trainees as ING.
• AIGS (Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences): Thailand-based gemmology school with a comprehensive gem identification and diploma curriculum, mirroring ING's professional training cycle structure for a non-francophone Asian audience.
• GIA (Gemological Institute of America): The global benchmark for gemmology education and diamond grading, offering degrees and professional certifications analogous to ING's Bachelor and Certificat programs. ING is the francophone equivalent at smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• De Beers Group Industry Services: Industry-supported diamond training and certification programs for the trade; relevant peer given shared positioning around diamond grading education and employer partnerships.
• Gübelin Gem Lab: Swiss gem-testing laboratory that also runs educational initiatives and gemmology training; comparable as a high-end gem certification and education reference point for ING's employer ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Sotheby's Institute of Art: London/NY-based luxury and art-market higher education provider covering jewelry and decorative arts; competes for the same luxury-adjacent career-oriented student demographic as ING.
• L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts (Van Cleef & Arpels): Paris-based jewelry arts school offering non-degree courses and talks on gemmology and jewelry history; adjacent overlap in audience and Place Vendôme proximity, though not a competing certification pathway.
• Ecole des Arts Joailliers: Paris-based jewelry school supported by French luxury houses offering discovery and professional courses in gemmology and jewelry-making, overlapping with ING's à-la-carte workshop portfolio.

Regional players

• WGI (World Gemological Institute): Gemmology laboratory and training provider with regional focus; comparable offering of gem identification education and certification, mainly serving non-European markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCO4nYV8ge_x7aaMA_Hf3WCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/INGemmologie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ingemmologie
• Instagraminstagram.com/ingemmologie

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ING - Institut National de Gemmologie