Sydney, spectacularly draped around its glorious harbour and beaches, has visual wow factor like few other cities. From local markets, great coffee and inner-city villages to music festivals and easily accessible tourist destinations, Sydney sparkles and shines and you won’t want to leave.
NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION
The GAA NSW Division caters to the needs of gemmology and its associated industries and those with an active interest in gemstones. With many popular courses on offer, they are bound to pique the interest of both avid hobbyists and the most educated gemmologists.
GAA NSW Gemmology House is centrally located on Terry Street, Rozelle and offers a friendly and welcoming environment. It is within easy walking distance from major transport hubs, a short walk from the trendy Balmain shopping hub and only a 10-minute bus trip from the Sydney’s CBD. Ample street parking is available. Our new building was fully renovated in 2021 and offers state of the art facilities along with compliant access and a lift allowing easy access to all learning facilities. The light-filled building contains a main lecture room, gemmology laboratory, student rooms, a well-equipped library all on one floor as well as a diamond studies laboratory located on a separate floor that caters for our diamond courses. Display cases filled with minerals and specimens line the facility allowing students to view and appreciate the fascinating and wonderful world of gems and gemmology. Our gemmology laboratory contains workstations equipped with microscopes, refractometers, polariscopes, fibre optic lights, along with individual overhead lamps.
We offer flexible learning modes to cater for student needs and our lecturers and demonstrators are all certified gemmologists. We hope that you will join us in furthering your gemmology studies and we hope to see you soon!
COURSE DATES, FEES & ENROLMENTS
Courses are provided by Gem-Ed Australia and individual State Divisions. Click here to view the course dates and fees for New South Wales.
ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DIVISION
NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION FACILITIES
- Two laboratories
- Main lecture room
- Light filled students room
- Well equipped library
- Display cases filled with beautiful and interesting specimens
ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DIVISION
KEY PERSONNEL
- Dr Cheryl Murdoch FGAA NSW Committee Member Close
- Bill Sechos Federal Registrar/NSW Diamond Course Coordinator and Lecturer/NSW Management Committee Member Close
- Amy Wong New South Wales Administrator Close
- Leo Hyde New South Wales President Close
- Jason Rerberger New South Wales Treasurer Close
- Alan Vongsavanh New South Wales Vice President Close
- David van Niekerk New South Wales Secretary Close
- Linda Evenhuis New South Wales Vice President Close
Profile.
Dr Cheryl Murdoch FGAA NSW Committee MemberDiploma in Gemmology 2017-2018. Editor “Gem Review” Newsletter and NSW Editorial Liaison. NSW Curator of Specimens from mid 2019. Previous experience in research, science education and educational administration. Amateur jewellery maker for 10 years and beginner lapidarist. Current positions in GAA NSW combine my scientific background in chemistry, interest in minerals and geology and love of gemstones and jewellery.
Profile.
Bill Sechos Federal Registrar/NSW Diamond Course Coordinator and Lecturer/NSW Management Committee MemberAfter having held a number of Federal positions in the GAA, including Federal President, Chair of the Board of Studies and Examinations, and Chief Examiner, Bill is currently Federal Registrar of the GAA. He is Course Coordinator and lecturer for GAA’s Diploma of Diamond Technology in NSW and GAA’s principal lecturer/trainer for Practical Diamond Grading and Advanced Practical Diamond Grading Courses in all States except Victoria.
Profile.
Amy Wong New South Wales AdministratorProfile.
Leo Hyde New South Wales PresidentProfile.
Jason Rerberger New South Wales TreasurerProfile.
Alan Vongsavanh New South Wales Vice PresidentProfile.
David van Niekerk New South Wales SecretaryProfile.
Linda Evenhuis New South Wales Vice PresidentLatest News & EVENTS
- Australian Opal Awards 2025 29 May, 2024
- “Queen of Gems” Jewellery Design Awards 2024 29 May, 2024
- W. H. Hicks Prize List 1993- 2020 26 February, 2024
- VALE Andrew H. Cody 20 September, 2022
- New Honorary Life Members 29 June, 2022
- W. H. Hicks Prize 2019-2020 06 June, 2021
- 2021 GAA Federal Conference 20 May, 2021
- Australia Post introduces new Opalised Fossil stamps 18 August, 2020
- Facebook GAA Members Forum 30 July, 2020
- COVID-19 Update 05 June, 2020
- Happy National Volunteers Week 20 May, 2020
- CANCELLED: 2020 GAA Federal Conference 22 March, 2020
courses offered by New South Wales
Pearls and Other Living Gems
For lovers of pearls as well as other organics including jet, amber, ivory tortoiseshell, coral and more.
Learn MoreLaboratory Grown or Natural Diamond
Man-made diamonds, Natural diamonds, and diamond simulants
Learn MoreLaboratory Grown or Natural Diamond
Man-made diamonds, Natural diamonds, and diamond simulants
Learn MorePractical Antique Jewellery Workshop
Learn and practice identifying antique jewellery using examples from your own collection. A one-day practical workshop ideal for those who have already completed the Introduction to Antique Jewellery short course and want more hands-on time.
Learn MoreOrnamentals – Minerals & Rocks of Beauty
Learn about the huge variety of ornamentals that are used in jewellery in this one day course.
Learn MoreIntroduction to Coloured Gemstones
This one day course introduces a range of popular coloured gemstones to learn about.
Learn MoreIntroduction to Separation of Natural and Synthetic Gemstones (Mandarin)
In this short 2-day course you will learn the basic techniques required to differentiate between natural and synthetic gemstones.
Learn MoreAdvanced Gemstone Inclusions
Two-day course that extends beyond the Diploma in Gemmology course or equivalent, delving further into gemstone inclusions.
Learn MoreAdvanced Practical Diamond Grading
Take your diamond grading to the next level and learn how to grade fancy shapes and colours and screen for synthetics.
Learn MoreGemmology Update and Synthetics
Extended study for qualified gemmologists, touching on most aspects of synthetic and treated gemstones.
Learn MoreAdvanced Opals
Learn all about opal in this short two-day course that covers all aspects of the gemmology and science of opal including opal from Australia and overseas locations.
Learn MoreGemmology for Retail (Correspondence)
Our short correspondence course will introduce you to the world of gemmology, with a focus on gemstones encountered in the retail world.
Learn MoreGemmology for Retail (Correspondence)
Our short correspondence course will introduce you to the world of gemmology, with a focus on gemstones encountered in the retail world.
Learn MoreJewellery Sketching and Design
Learn basic techniques and tricks to enable jewellery concepts and ideas to be sketched quickly and effectively.
Learn MoreDiamond Technology Theory
Learn the fascinating process of diamond formation through recovery and final use in jewellery or industry.
Learn MoreDiamond Consultant
With a better understanding of the world’s most popular gem, you’ll find that confidence and knowledge sells over this short one-day course.
Learn MorePractical Diamond Grading
Learn weight estimation and visual estimation of the 4 C’s as well as other features of practical diamond grading.
Learn MorePractical Diamond Grading
Learn weight estimation and visual estimation of the 4 C’s as well as other features of practical diamond grading.
Learn MorePearl & Bead Threading
Learn the traditional ways of threading, including knotting and finishing, to complete your own strings using natural gem beads and cultured pearls.
Learn MoreIntroduction to Antique Jewellery
Over a single day session, learn the ins and outs of antique jewellery, from how to identify and describe through to materials used and more.
Learn MoreIntroduction to Gems and Gemmology
Overview of natural gemstones, colour, original localities, hardness.
Learn MoreDiploma in Diamond Technology
An intensive course that focuses on all aspects of diamonds including practical and theoretical components.
Learn MoreDiploma in Diamond Technology
An intensive course that focuses on all aspects of diamonds including practical and theoretical components.
Learn MoreDiploma in Gemmology
A part-time two year (equivalent) diploma course comprising of scientific study in order to identify faceted and rough gem material (gemstones).
Learn MoreDiploma in Gemmology
A part-time two year (equivalent) diploma course comprising of scientific study in order to identify faceted and rough gem material (gemstones).
Learn MoreDiploma in Gemmology
A part-time two year (equivalent) diploma course comprising of scientific study in order to identify faceted and rough gem material (gemstones).
Learn MoreTailored Diamond/Gemstone Courses
Choose the content and length of a course to suit staff in a business
Learn MoreTailored Diamond/Gemstone Courses
Choose the content and length of a course to suit staff in a business
Learn More