Daniel Woodford - Gold Decorative VesselGem-A Award Winner 2019/20
The Gem-A Award
Gemmology Foundation Course or Gem-A Diamond Diploma
Gemmology is the science of studying, cutting, and valuing precious stones, but the essence of gemmology is in identifying gemstones.
This award for either an online Gem-A Gemmology Foundation Course (with practical course) or an online Gem-A Diamond Diploma (with practical course) is open to all competition entrants that include gemstones in their 2D and 3D submissions.
Applicants should indicate their wish to be considered for this award by ticking the entry form box and submitting a 200-word statement which demonstrates how either course would benefit them and support their career development.
Judges criteria
Entries will be judged on:
Both the creative use of gemstones in their entry and the applicability of their submission to either the Gem-A Gemmology Foundation Course or the Gem-A Diamond Diploma course, in which the entrant needs to explain clearly how the prize will benefit them and also demonstrates their passion for and interest in gemstones/diamonds and associated trades.
The Gem-A Gemmology Foundation Course
The Gem-A Gemmology Foundation course provides the most essential information about gemstones, the science of gemmology and handling specimens. It is a vital building block that equips students with a scientific understanding of gemstones and the practical skills to handle and identify gemstones.
This is an industry respected qualification and your route to becoming a qualified gemmologist with Gem-A starts with the Foundation course. The theoretical elements of this course will be offered online. In addition, you will be offered a practical Gemmology Foundation Lab Class to complete your course. This in-person element is essential to ensure you can handle gemstones with confidence and use gemmological equipment correctly and safely. The practical class takes place over three days and can be taken at Gem-A HQ in London or via a Gem-A approved practical provider.
The Gem-A Diamond Diploma
This Online Distance Learning course is a trusted and highly respected industry qualification that is recognised globally as a signifier of rigorous and scientific diamond knowledge, in which you will gain a comprehensive understanding of diamonds and how the diamond market operates, allowing you to explore new career opportunities or enhance an existing career in the fields of diamond grading, diamond research and technology, diamond retail and diamond jewellery making, among others.
In addition, you will be offered a practical Diamond Grading & Identification Lab Class. This five-day course has been especially designed to expand your diamond skills and experience in a short period of time and will take place at Gem-A HQ in London. Successful completion of this course will make you eligible for Gem-A Membership as the Fellow of Diamond Member of Gem-A (DGA).
Samantha Sloane - Crab Cluster Ring
Winner 2023
Jiayang Xie - The Huge
Winner 2023
Gem-A is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewellery education. Our Gemmology Diploma evolved from the first gem course proposed for the UK Jewellery trade in 1908 and our prestigious Gemmology and Diamond Diplomas – taught in five languages and 17 countries – are recognised throughout the world. Gem-A forms an international community of gem professionals and enthusiasts via our membership opportunities and serves the interests of the gem and jewellery industries through the high standards of education that our courses provide.
This prize was open to craftspeople and designers alike and should be considered an opportunity to expand their holistic industry knowledge, no matter their chosen path or specialism. The aim of the Gem-A Award is to make gemmology and diamond education accessible to all through a prize that asks entrants to clearly show – through their entered work and a supporting statement – how a greater knowledge of gemstones will help to elevate both their work and career progression.
As a result, we looked for both well-presented work, ideally containing gemstones, alongside a well-rounded statement that showed a clear understanding not only of how the prize will benefit the entrant, but that also their passion and interest in the jewellery trade.
Give solid statements telling exactly how the further education will help -- not just as the next step in a career but because the entrant is interested.
"Give solid statements telling exactly how the further education will help -- not just as the next step in a career but because you are interested."
