As far as knowledge goes, no I don’t think it matters. There are a ton of people in the trade with no formal education but tons of experience. That being said, if you are entering the trade from outside, every little bit helps. The thing about the gem trade is that it’s a social body. Having an educational certificate that you can use as an introduction or as a sort of character vouch will open many unexpected doors for you and it also gives you a sense of confidence and credibility. It’s not necessary but for me it was life changing because it introduced me to people that I otherwise wouldn’t have met and simultaneously showed those mentors that I was worth spending time on.