What have you been up to since completing your studies with Gem-A?
Since becoming an FGA and DGA I ended a 13-year career as a Chemistry teacher and turned my focus on the gem and jewellery world. A career in gems hasn’t worked out yet and I’m still working in education but on the administration side in events and communications.
How has your gem-a qualification helped you in your career so far?
With my diplomas and the Deeks Diamond prize, I have been able to get through to the first stage interview of various jobs including a gem lab, which is my ultimate job, but also a screen test at Gemporia and various entry level jewellery retail jobs at both independent and high street chain establishments.
What are the most important skills you have taken away from your gem-a studies?
I haven’t been able to get a job in gems, but I’m sure that the basic gemmological skills for identification are the most important. More generally though, gemmology is about collecting evidence and using your knowledge and reasoning to identify a stone, which I think is useful in so many areas of life.
What would you say to anyone considering taking a gem-a course?
You’ll never look at gems in the same way again and you’ll question everything.
