Study Gemmology in Birmingham at Birmingham City University (BCU)

  • Jewel Art Aisle Min

Birmingham City University Gemmology department is part of the School of Jewellery. Founded in 1890, The School of Jewellery is situated in Birmingham’s Historic Jewellery Quarter. Due to expansion our Gemmology department relocated a short distance from the main school at Birmingham’s Assay Office. Our Gemmology suite was purpose built to accommodate our well-equipped laboratories and facilities.  Our full time students study BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies or MSc Gemmology and we also teach Gem-A’s Gemmology Diploma and Diamond Diploma in the evenings. We also provide Gemmology practical lab classes for Gem-A’s ODL Students and are Gem-A’s Birmingham exam centre.

We have an extensive gemstone collection which enables our students to examine a wide range of syllabus gems and rarer collectors’ gems.  Our large diamond collection enables students to examine and grade stones with varying 4 C’s. We have rough stones, synthetics, and a range of simulants too. Our jewellery collection enables students to examine a range of jewellery and test set gemstones.

The Jewellery Quarter is home to jewellery retailers and manufacturers. There are also many cafes and restaurants. St Pauls Square is a short walk from us and Birmingham City is a short tram ride away or a 20-minute walk.

 

Course Dates BCU Tutors BCU Classrooms

  Course Dates

All courses will only run subject to reaching a minimum number of student registrations.

  • Course Title
  • Gemmology Foundation Course (Tuesdays)
  • Gemmology Diploma Course (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies (3-year full time degree course)
  • Masters of Gemmology (1-year full time degree course)
  • Gemmology Foundation Lab Class (Birmingham 09.30-16.30; Tue - Thu)
  • Gemmology Diploma Lab Class (Birmingham 09.30-16.30; Exam date - 20 May)
  • Course Dates
  • from 10 Oct 2022
  • from 10 Oct 2022
  • from 19 Sep 2022
  • from 19 Sep 2022
  • 2 May - 4 May 2023
  • 15 May - 20 May 2023
  • Price(£)
  • 2520
  • 4140
  • 9250-13500
  • 9000-16300
  • 495
  • 795
  • Course Title
  • Diamond Diploma Course (Thursdays)
  • Course Dates
  • from 10 Oct 2022
  • Price(£)
  • 2980


  BCU Tutors

Our tutors are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, with real trade experience, and will ensure that you are provided with a first-class gem education. All our permanent staff have post graduate teaching qualifications and are fellows of the Higher Education Authority. Students who study on-site can see and test a wide variety of gem materials under the guidance of our experienced tutors.

  • Andrew Fellows BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA
  • Michelle McCormick BSc (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA
  • Miranda Wells BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA

  • Andrew Fellows BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA

     

     

    Andrew has been involved in gemmolgoical education since the 1990's, initially working for Gem-A, then for Birmingham City University, where he now lectures on both the BSc and MSc gemmology programmes. 

    Andrew has also provided an extensive range of workshops and talks for various gemmological and valuation conferences and groups.

  • Michelle McCormick BSc (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA

     

    Michelle is a lecturer teaching the BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies degree. With extensive jewellery trade experience in retail, manufacturing retail, management and buying. Michelle also has her NAJ Jewellery and Appraisal qualifications and has been a tutor for the NAJ since 2003.

  • Miranda Wells BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA

     

    Miranda is an Associate Professor for Birmingham City University Institute of Fashion and Textiles. She is also Head of Gemmology. Miranda has extensive gemstone trade experience. Miranda has worked for Birmingham City University for many years. Miranda taught Gemmology here when it was a HND program and with her vision and efforts it became a degree course in 2014.

     

  • Andrew Fellows BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA
  • Michelle McCormick BSc (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA
  • Miranda Wells BA (Hons), FGA, DGA, FHEA

  BCU Classrooms

  • Fellows Room
  • Garrard Room
  • Breakout Room And Computer Suite
  • Research Lab

  • Fellows Room

    The Fellows Room – The perfect room for diamond grading, with neutral background and diamond grading lights. All rooms have large interactive white boards to aid with presentations. Stunning photos of diamonds supplied by Fellows Auctioneers are displayed on the walls.

     

  • Garrard Room

     

    The Garrard Room – This well-equipped laboratory contains all the essential Gemmology equipment. Each desk has a microscope, table polariscope, refractometer and fibre optic light source. The photos displayed on the walls show fantastic photomicrographs of gemstones and their internal inclusions that were taken by our students.

  • Breakout Room And Computer Suite

     

     

    The breakout room and computer suite – A place to sit back and relax before sessions or a break times for our full time students. 

  • Research Lab

    The Research Lab – This laboratory is home to our advanced spectrometers. Raman, FTIR and UV-Vis. We also have camera microscopes and synthetic diamond detection equipment.

    The Library tutorial room – Students can study from these books whilst onsite – we have an extensive range of Gemmology, Diamond and Jewellery books.

  • Fellows Room
  • Garrard Room
  • Breakout Room And Computer Suite
  • Research Lab


If you can't find what you are looking for email BCU at Jewelleryprogrammeadmin@bcu.ac.uk .