A Gemmologist’s Journey: From Painted Rocks to PR Success

Early Fascination and Educational Foundations

Olga González FGA DGA, the CEO of Pietra Communications in New York City, discovered her passion for gemstones in an unconventional way. As a child, she collected ordinary rocks from her yard and painted them with nail polish, creating her first ‘coloured gem’ collection that she displayed proudly on her windowsill. This early fascination would eventually lead to a successful career, though not without navigating family expectations. Like many students, she faced pressure to pursue conventional paths—doctor, lawyer or architect—rather than follow her passion.

Her trajectory changed during the Gemmology Foundation class at Gem-A with Pat Daly, where she observed a horsetail inclusion inside a demantoid garnet. This glimpse into the microscopic world within gemstones captivated her imagination and solidified her commitment to gemmology. The experience demonstrated how jewellery uniquely combines sentimental and inherent value, serving as both a luxury item and a vessel for commemorating love, milestones and memory across generations.

Mentorship and Career Development

In 2006, Olga moved to London for graduate studies at Christie’s Education. There, she completed a master’s program in art connoisseurship covering European fine and decorative art from the Renaissance through the 1960s. During this period, she secured an internship with the curatorial department of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, working under Rosemary Ransome-Wallis. There, Olga learned to identify goldsmithing techniques and was entrusted  with significant projects, including judging jewellery competitions, advising on acquisitions for the permanent collection and organizing her first press preview event — the Treasures of Today contemporary silver exhibition in Oxford. On the final day of her internship, a maternity leave created a temporary opening at Gem-A. Ms González’s previous employment experiences made her an ideal candidate for the position. She began working part-time at Gem-A and enrolled in the Foundation course while completing her Christie’s thesis.

Building Experience at Gem-A

After finishing her master’s degree, Olga transitioned to full-time work with the Association, starting in Membership before becoming Gem-A’s first Marketing and Events Manager.  Under the leadership of Jack Ogden FGA, she learned skills that would prove essential to running her public relations firm, including the ability to think on her feet and approaching problems with curiosity and innovation. Jack Ogden’s approach to analysing gems, jewellery and artefacts demonstrated the value of thinking outside conventional boundaries.

During her tenure, she spearheaded Gem-A’s visual transformation for their centennial anniversary, conceptualizing a new logo incorporating the Gem-A Coat of Arms, helping to redesign Gems & Jewellery and developing comprehensive marketing materials. She also created a new website and managed press relations and contributed to G&J magazine. During this time she also  Gemmology Diploma while working in communications, gaining the technical expertise that would prove invaluable throughout her career. Being a Diploma graduate and an active member of the Gem-A association granted her the privilege of using the FGA post-nominals.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

After returning to the U.S., Olga started interviewing and doing freelance work. During this period, word-of-mouth referrals brought more opportunities—designers requesting website design, press releases, brand copywriting, and event planning. Side projects accelerated rapidly through referrals from designers, manufacturers, and gem dealers; and multiple people in her network encouraged her to start her own agency.

During an evening out with friends, she announced her new business and began incorporation paperwork the next day. Fourteen years later, this spontaneous decision has proven highly successful, working with trusted collaborators on custom jewellery commissions and design projects.

Applying Gemmological Expertise

Her gemmological education informs Olga’s work daily, sometimes unexpectedly. Pietra Communications serves primarily the gem and jewellery trade (approximately eighty percent of clients), with additional work in fine art, fashion, media, and travel sectors. Growth continues through word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients.

Training staff in gemmology forms part of her regular responsibilities. When working with jewellery designers, she explains gemstone backgrounds and design significance within jewellery history. For clients designing against editorial calendars, she advises on stone selection, considering factors like hardness, appropriate settings, and symbolic meanings that enhance brand narratives. The agency fields daily media opportunities, connecting journalists with appropriate clients or providing expert gemmological opinions when deadlines require immediate responses. She writes regularly for trade and consumer publications, which has led to adventures including mine visits and photoshoot styling, where her ability to handle jewellery properly and educate others proves invaluable.

Even event planning benefits from gemmological knowledge—advising bakers on realistic geode cake colours or mixologists on gem-themed cocktails demonstrates the versatility of this expertise.

Giving Back and Looking Forward

Having served as president of the Women’s Jewelry Association New York Metro chapter and past president of the Public Relations Society of America New York chapter, she emphasizes the importance of mentoring others. Her Gem-A education informs programming decisions, suggesting educational events and identifying relevant industry topics for both in-person and virtual gatherings.

Beyond her professional work, she collects gems, mineral specimens and contemporary jewellery, finding particular joy in wearing her collection. Her journey demonstrates that gemmological education opens unlimited doors—from traditional careers to unexpected paths combining multiple passions. For those fascinated by gemstones, the possibilities extend far beyond conventional expectations, limited only by imagination and determination.

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If you would like to learn more about Gemmology, you can sign up for our short online course GemIntro or explore our accredited programmes.