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Our teams are working remotely and are still accepting education and membership queries. For more info click here.

Study Gemmology in London at Gem-A HQ

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    Gem-A: The World's oldest school of Gemmology

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    The Gem-A HQ are conveniently located next to Hatton Garden

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 Gem-A Tutors Gem-A Classrooms Additional Info

  Course dates

Gem-A have taken the decision to host all upcoming September courses
in an online-only format until February 2021.

Take a look at our online learning options >>>


Workshops
WS
Workshops

Study Time - 1 day

Level - Beginners and Intermediate
Gemmology Foundation
GF
Gemmology Foundation

Study Time - 4,6 or 9 months

Qualification - Gem-A Level 4 in Gemmology
Gemmology Diploma
GD
Gemmology Diploma

Study Time - 9-12 months

Qualification - Gem-A Level 6 Diploma in Gemmology
Diamond Diploma
DD
Diamond Diploma

Study Time - 6-9 months

Qualification - Gem-A Level 5 Diploma in Gem Diamond


  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.

  • Dr Juliette Hibou FGA
  • Charlie Bexfield FGA DGA EG
  • Lily Faber FGA DGA EG
  • Pat Daly FGA DGA EG
  • Matthew Handley DGA
  • Delyth Du Plooy FGA DGA BSc (Hons)

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Dr Juliette Hibou FGA
  • Charlie Bexfield FGA DGA EG
  • Lily Faber FGA DGA EG
  • Pat Daly FGA DGA EG
  • Matthew Handley DGA
  • Delyth Du Plooy FGA DGA BSc (Hons)

  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.

  • SIR JAMES WALTON LIBRARY
  • HERBERT SMITH ROOM
  • ERIC BRUTON ROOM
  • ROBERT WEBSTER ROOM
  • BASIL ANDERSON ROOM

  • 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).

     

  • HERBERT SMITH ROOM

    The Herbert Smith Room is primarily used by Gemmology Diploma students, and is used for access to the Anderson Room.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • SIR JAMES WALTON LIBRARY
  • HERBERT SMITH ROOM
  • ERIC BRUTON ROOM
  • ROBERT WEBSTER ROOM
  • BASIL ANDERSON ROOM


Graduate Gemologist
On-Site Courses

  • Gemmology Foundation
  • Gemmology Diploma
  • Diamond Diploma

 

class times
Class Times

  • Daytime: 10:00-16:30
  • Evening: 18:30-20:30

Apply Now
Apply Now

Ready to apply? Fill in the course APPLICATION FORM
 

Visa info
Visa Info

Any non-UK residents wishing to study any of our on-site courses must have a short-term study visa or proof of UK residency. To apply for a visa, or for more information, please contact the UK Border Agency.