GIA Graduate Gemologist Diploma

Almost twenty years after finishing university, I decided to thrown myself in the deep end and go back to school! Well sort of.

I decided to become a graduate gemologist through the Gemological Institute of America with their online Diploma course. There were a few ways and institutions that I could study with. I considered Gem-A in the UK and GAA in Australia. In the end I decided the GIA program suited my needs the best. It also requires overseas travel in order to complete the in-person Lab portions of the course. I will complete these in London in August. 

I began my gemology diploma purely as a way to support my business. To better be able to describe, value and grade the items that I am selling. 

However over the last few months I have truly fallen in love with the actual gems themselves. I now have a much better understanding of exactly how rare, old and precious many of these gemstones are. I have learnt so much along the way.

Did you know natural diamonds are usually billions of years old! Like WAY, WAY older than dinosaurs?! And Zircons are even older (over 4 billion years old) as the oldest recognised mineral on Earth!

More than just their age though, the amount of work that actually goes into getting the gemstones from the Earth, through numerous hands before it ends up in the jewellery that you love is incredible. 

When you consider the differences in tools, access, knowledge and transportation that was available during the Georgian, Victorian and earlier periods, it is absolutely incredible what they were able to achieve and the amazing jewellery they were able to create. 

The fact that we can still buy and wear some of this jewellery today absolutely boggles my mind and just reaffirms the love I have for all things old and sparkly. 

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

xox