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
We are friendly and welcoming and strive to cater to the needs of the industry around us. We offer many popular short courses bound to pique the interest of even the most highly educated gemmologist. Gemmology House, Wentworth Avenue, Sydney is a lovely place to study, centrally located and within easy walking distance from major transport hubs and surrounded by jewellery and gemstone merchants. Our building has lots of character and we have been operating out of here since 1966. We offer flexible learning options for students and our lecturers are all subject-matter experts in their field. We have two laboratories, a main lecture room, a light-filled students’ room, a well-equipped library and many display cases filled with beautiful and interesting specimens.

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
- Michelle Clark New South Wales Vice President Close
- Andrew Nealon New South Wales Education Support Officer Close
- Amy Wong New South Wales Administrator Close
- Deborah Hudson New South Wales President Close
- Leo Hyde New South Wales Secretary Close
- Jason Rerberger New South Wales Treasurer 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.
Michelle Clark New South Wales Vice PresidentWith a professional background as a biochemist, Michelle developed a passion for gemstones. She enjoys being at the interface that combines the aesthetic beauty of gem materials and understanding their crystallography and mineralogy. After completing the Diploma, Michelle has been a Gem 1 and Gem 2 teacher for the past several years. She is actively involved as a volunteer with the GAA at State and Federal levels in a number of capacities including administration and education. Michelle is the current Editor/Chair of The Australian Gemmologist.
Profile.
Andrew Nealon New South Wales Education Support OfficerWith a background in the mineral resources industry, Andrew has been involved in mining projects in South Africa, Tanzania, Indonesia, Western Australia and Queensland. It was his time at a tanzanite mine in 2014 – spending time with the locals and learning the unique properties of the stone, with the beautiful Mt Kilimanjaro as a backdrop – that sparked his passion for gemstones and encouraged him to complete both the Diploma in Gemmology and the Diploma in Diamond Technology with the GAA in recent years.
As the Education Support Officer in NSW, Andrew hopes to cultivate that same passion for gemstones with every student who comes to the GAA.
Profile.
Amy Wong New South Wales AdministratorProfile.
Deborah Hudson New South Wales PresidentProfile.
Leo Hyde New South Wales SecretaryProfile.
Jason Rerberger New South Wales TreasurerLatest News & EVENTS
courses offered by New South Wales

Introduction 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.
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Advanced Gemstone Inclusions
Two-day course that extends beyond the Diploma in Gemmology course or equivalent, delving further into gemstone inclusions.
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Advanced Practical Diamond Grading
Take your diamond grading to the next level and learn how to grade fancy shapes and colours and screen for synthetics.
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Gemmology Update and Synthetics
Extended study for qualified gemmologists, touching on most aspects of synthetic and treated gemstones.
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Advanced 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.
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Gemmology 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.
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Jewellery Sketching and Design
Learn basic techniques and tricks to enable jewellery concepts and ideas to be sketched quickly and effectively.
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Diamond Technology Theory
Learn the fascinating process of diamond formation through recovery and final use in jewellery or industry.
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Diamond 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.
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Practical Diamond Grading
Learn weight estimation and visual estimation of the 4 C’s as well as other features of practical diamond grading.
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Pearl & Bead Threading
Learn the traditional ways of threading, including knotting and finishing, to complete your own strings using natural gem beads and cultured pearls.
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Introduction 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.
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Introduction to Gems and Gemmology
Overview of natural gemstones, colour, original localities, hardness.
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Diploma in Diamond Technology
An intensive course that focuses on all aspects of diamonds including practical and theoretical components.
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Diploma in Diamond Technology
An intensive course that focuses on all aspects of diamonds including practical and theoretical components.
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Diploma in Gemmology
A part-time two year (equivalent) diploma course comprising of scientific study in order to identify faceted and rough gem material (gemstones).
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Diploma 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 More