What IS A GIA Graduate Gemologist® (GG) and why do we need them?

It is best practice to seek the services of a Graduate Gemologist® before you make a big ticket jewelry purchase.

You are likely to save instead of lose money on a misguided selection.

Photo credit: Alice Prenat for Portrait Madame studio

Diamond Earrings and Necklace: Made by Malyia

A GIA Graduate Gemologist® (GG) is someone who has studied and trained at a post-secondary educational institution, and earned a diploma in the scientific study of gems. While studying gemology at the world renowned Gemological Institute of America [GIA], I realized the field of gemology uses the following four disciplines; science, technology, engineering, and math. Did you know that gemology is a STEM field? [View my short Q&A regarding STEM fields in this Instagram post from StemGemBooks]. The GG has expertise using gemological equipment and technical skills to methodically and scientifically evaluate and identify gemstones by using the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight), which is the International Diamond Grading System™, and the Colored Stone Grading System to determine gemstone quality.

In addition, the GG possesses the following scientific skills:

  • Grades diamonds in the D-to-Z color range

  • Builds a knowledge base about colored stones and the colored stone market

  • Identifies gemstone characteristics, and distinguishes natural, treated, laboratory-grown gemstones, simulants, and synthetics, and recognizes when advanced testing is required

  • Recognizes how quality, rarity and color affect value

  • Determines how market factors affect gem value

Instruments, EQUIPMENT, AND Tools Used In My Laboratory

30X Microscope, 10X Loupe, Duplex II Refractometer™, Diffraction Grating Spectroscope, Calcite Dichroscope, Polariscope with Interference Figure Sphere, Daylight Equivalent Fluorescent Light Source, Scale, Long and Short Wave Lamp, Ultraviolet Light Source, Pinpoint Incandescent Flashlight, Fiber Optic Light, Contrast Control Spectacles

ARE THESE COSTUME JEWELRY EARRINGS 😯 ???

While perusing jewelry at a consignment store I had never visited, I asked the owner if she could give me more information about a pair of earrings since the description did not match what I was seeing. After inspecting the earrings with my loupe, I pulled out my diamond tester to confirm what appeared to be moonstones were in fact moonstones and not diamonds as the tag indicated. The owner became intrigued by my tester. She excused herself, and returned with a different pair of earrings and asked if I could test them, so I kindly obliged her. Turns out, these earrings were actually a pair of approximately 1.50 cts. diamond studs, but they were marked at $60! I advised her to inform the consignee that the misidentified earrings were in fact diamonds and the price should be changed. The next time I visited the store the earrings were priced correctly.

I have dozens of other fascinating gem and jewelry stories I can share with you. STAY TUNED as I will rotate stories.