SOUTH AUSTRALIA

I have always been interested in rocks and earth processes. I studied geology and worked as a geologist throughout QLD and WA in the mining industry for many years.
It was during this time, I was frequently asked by people about their jewellery and gemstones. Even though gemstones are minerals, I really couldn’t offer any information on cut stones. I decided to find out, by applying for the Diploma in Gemmology, completing in 2010. I was hooked. Since then I have been lecturing and serving on the SA Div committee.

My interest in gems was hidden in plain sight, by the mere fact I had collected books on minerals and gemstones since childhood and didn’t know I had the interest. The interest was sparked by my grandfather who was a miner in Broken Hill, who had taken the time to show me all the nice specimens of beautiful minerals at the Broken Hill Museum.

20 years later I decided to change my career into something I’m passionate about. In 2009 I had asked myself the question ‘What am I passionate about?’ The answer was ‘Gemstones’. Then I stumbled across a website about the GAA. Began my new career path in 2010 by first doing the ‘Introduction into Gems and Gemmology’. I was hooked and enrolled into the Diploma in Gemmology in the same year.

My passion for jewellery and gemstones has been in me since I was a young girl and I have managed to simultaneously continually advance my education with my professional experience and industry skills while working as a jewellery designer and valuer for leading manufacturers in Adelaide and London since 2006. I have been a member with the GAA since 2009, and a registered valuer with the NCJV since 2015.

After completing secondary school I went to work in the family retail gemstone and mineral business. Here I gained extensive experience with opals, as well as hundreds of different gemstones. It has allowed me to meet miners, cutters, jewellers and dealers from many countries. I received my GAA Diploma in 1997, and later became manager of the family gemstone and mineral business, which has now been operating for over 40years. In 2018, I completed the Gemmology and Synthetics Update course and continue to stay on top of my education which helps me to better educate for the GAA SA division. I currently lecturing in Opals, Ornamentals, other and lesser known gems

I first discovered the world of gemmology working in a second hand jewellery store back in 2010. From there my passion grew and I went on to become a member of the GAA in 2012 and completed many of the short course and also the Diploma of Gemmology and diamond grading components. After completing my studies in 2014, I began lecturing theory part time for the GAA in 2015 and have been teaching since. While working in the jewellery industry for the past 10 years I worked in many areas of the trade, but found a passion in gem cutting in 2014 and turned it into a professional career.

I have a passion for jewellery and wanted to know what I was buying for myself from antique markets, so I studied Gemmology in 2006/2007 and then Diamond Tech in 2008. I commenced teaching Gem 2 prac and then Gem 1 Prac diploma students, as I am wanting to share the wonderful knowledge of gemmology. I started working in the jewellery industry in 2014. I completed the NCJV valuers course in 2013, but currently at this stage no longer undertake valuations in my own business.