If you want to live and study in a vibrant city steeped in history then on-site study is for you. The Gem-A headquarters are conveniently located next to Hatton Garden, the historic gem and jewellery quarter and the heart of London’s gem and jewellery trade.
Our headquarters are a short walk from Chancery Lane underground station (Central line) and Farringdon station (Circle, District and Hammersmith & City underground lines and Thameslink services). When you’re not studying with us there’s lots to see and do: from a range of museums containing hidden gems (British Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum) to monumental landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace — not to mention countless restaurants, bars, city parks and cafés. We are just a short underground ride away from Regent Street and Oxford Street, within walking distance of Holborn and the Museum of London, and a short walk from London’s vibrant Southbank, the home of London art and culture.
Course dates
Please Note: All classes (Gemmology and Diamond) are now being delivered fully onsite.
- Course Title
- F22DSEP On-site Gemmology Foundation Daytime, (4-month course, London)
- F22ESEP On-site Gemmology Foundation Evening (4-month course, London)
- D22DSEP On-site Gemmology Diploma Daytime (4-month course, London)
- D22ESEP On-site Gemmology Diploma Evening (9-month course, London)
- Course Dates
- 12 Sep 2022 - Feb 2023
- 5 Sep 2022 - Feb 2023
- 13 Sep 2022 - Feb 2023
- 5 Sep 2022 - June 2023
- Price(£)
- 3,715
- 3,170
- 6,480
- 4,505
- Course Title
- G22DSEP On-site Diamond Diploma Daytime (4-month course, London)
F22DSEP Gemmology Foundation daytime course - Mondays
F22ESEP Gemmology Foundation evening course - Mondays and Tuesdays
D22ESEP Gemmology Diploma evening course - Mondays and Tuesdays
D22DSEP Gemmology Diploma daytime course - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday*
* Thursday is a half day for individual practical study at Gem-A and a half day for home study
G22DSEP Diamond Diploma daytime course - Thursdays
Gem-A Tutors
Our tutors are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, with real trade experience, and will ensure that you are provided with a first-class gem education. Students who study on-site are able to see and test a wide variety of gem materials under the guidance of our experienced tutors, as well as benefitting from regular practical lab classes.
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Dr Juliette Hibou FGA
In-house tutor
Originally from Auvergne, France, our Assistant Gemmology Tutor Dr Juliette Hibou FGA joined the Gem-A team in September 2018. Juliette graduated from Université de la Sorbonne with a BA in Classics in 1995 and again in 2005 with a PhD in Art History specialising in nineteenth-century French furniture. In 2018, Juliette graduated with her Gemmology Diploma from Gem-A and was awarded the Anderson-Bank Medal for best theory paper. Before becoming a Gem-A Tutor, Juliette spent four years as an Art History lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London following a ten-year stint at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum where she worked on curation projects which included the redisplay of the jewellery collection in the William and Judith Bollinger Gallery.
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Charlie Bexfield FGA DGA EG
In-house tutor
Charles (Charlie) Bexfield FGA DGA EG is 23 years old and from Hertfordshire. At the age of 18 he started working with his father full time at Daniel Bexfield Antiques, an antiques business which specialises in fine antique silver and objects of vertu situated in Covent Garden, London. Charlie also photographs and catalogues the auction for ‘The Finial’ magazine, a bi-monthly publication for The Silver Spoon Club of Great Britain. In 2017 he returned to education and studied at Gem-A to attain his Gemmology Diploma and Diamond Diploma and was invited to return to teach the prestigious courses alongside his current commitments. Charlie went on to further his studies and graduated from The Federation of Education in European Gemmology (FEEG) in the summer of 2018.
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Lily Faber FGA DGA EG
In-house tutor
Hailing from Miami, Florida, Lily Faber FGA DGA EG studied Art History at Vassar College in upstate New York before pursuing a master’s degree in Fine and Decorative Art from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. She swiftly secured a coveted junior specialist position in the silver department of Christie’s auction house in London. Jewellery-making courses at Kensington and Chelsea College and the London School of Jewellery led to evening classes at Gem-A, where Lily obtained her Gemmology Foundation and Diploma qualifications. Lily continues to add to her credentials and recently qualified as a European Gemmologist from the Federation for European Education in Gemmology (FEEG). She joined the Gem-A team as a gemmology tutor in May 2017, and has represented the Association at the recent FEEG symposium in Madrid, Spain.
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Pat Daly FGA DGA EG
In-house tutor
Pat Daly FGA DGA EG is a senior gemmology instructor at Gem-A and has been an independent valuer since 1984 and an IRV since 1987. He started his trade career with James Walker Ltd (a multiple retail jeweller), and took the N.A.G. and Gem-A courses during this time. He began his gemmological studies under the tutelage of renowned gemmologist Basil Anderson. He then worked for David Harris Ltd (a manufacturer/second-hand jewellery dealer) in Hatton Garden, eventually joining Gem-A as a gemmology instructor in 1993.
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Matthew Handley DGA
Visiting tutor
Originally from rural Staffordshire, Matthew Handley DGA has been teaching the Diamond Diploma at Gem-A on both a permanent and freelance basis since March 2018. Matthew has over ten years’ experience working with jewellery. After completing his MA in History of Design at the Royal College of Art, he began his career in the jewellery department at Bonham’s, one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Matthew now works as an independent antique and fine jewellery specialist and has a particular interest in naturalistic diamond-set jewels from the nineteenth century. Matthew is also a member of The Society of Jewellery Historians.
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Delyth Du Plooy FGA DGA BSc (Hons)
Visiting tutor
Delyth Du Plooy FGA DGA BSc (Hons) is our Diamond Diploma evening class tutor. With over 30 years in the jewellery trade she has a wealth of experience and knowledge from roles as a jeweller, store manager, jewellery appraiser, pawnbroker and gemstone and diamond buyer. Delyth has obtained Gem-A’s Gemmology and Diamond Diplomas as well as a 1st class BSC (Hons) in Gemmology from Birmingham City University, graduating in 2017 with the highest overall marks that year. Delyth is Office Manager for Ruppenthal UK Ltd, the London branch of one of the largest coloured gemstone suppliers in Europe, Ruppenthal KG.
Gem-A Classrooms
Gem-A offer a fantastic range of facilities for on-site learning, from our dedicated teaching labs to our on-site library and stone collections - we have everything you need for a successful gemmology and diamond education, all under one-roof.
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SIR JAMES WALTON LIBRARY
The Gem-A library contains hundreds of books dedicated to the study of gemstones and is one of the most comprehensive collections of gemmology texts. Students are able to use the library to assist in their research projects and to further their education (by appointment only).
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HERBERT SMITH ROOM
The Herbert Smith Room is primarily used by Gemmology Diploma students, and is used for access to the Anderson Room.
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ERIC BRUTON ROOM
Named after Eric Bruton, who many will know as one of the most authoritative voices in the study of diamonds, the Gem-A Diamond Diploma is taught here. A darkened environment and individual lamps allow accurate diamond identification and grading.
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ROBERT WEBSTER ROOM
Named after one of the most prolific writers in the field of gemmology, Robert Webster, the room is predominantly used for Gemmology Foundation classes.
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BASIL ANDERSON ROOM
Named for the founder of the world’s first gem testing laboratory, Basil W. Anderson — one of the most well-known gemmologists of his time — the laboratory contains advanced lab equipment, including a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 2 FT-IR, ThermoFisher Quant-X EDXRF, Gemmo FT-IR, Gemmoraman 532SG, Sarine DiaMension, GemLab Gem Spectrometer UV-Vis-NIR, SSEF Diamond Spotter, Diamond Sure and Diamond View.
Non-UK residents wishing to study on one of our on-site courses may require a Standard Visitor Visa (allowing short term study for up to 6 months) to study in the UK. To apply for a visa, or for more information, please contact UK Visas and Immigration.
On-Site Courses
Class Times
Visa Info
Students can use the tool Visa Check if you are unsure if you will require a visa to study at a Gem-A course.