VICTORIA

I have had no particular background or upbringing within the Jewellery industry, however I have had a keen interest in jewellery from a very young age, when I thought it was a treat to be shown my Aunt’s costume jewellery collection. I had a particular fondness for musicals and thought that one day I would like to be able to name gemstones like “Aunt Alicia did in the musical Gigi” – Do yourself a favour, Google it.

While I was studying accounting at university, I would attend the weekly auctions held by Leonard Joel’s Auction Rooms in South Yarra, purchasing a few items that I still cherish today. I also had a relationship with a jewellery store in Armadale, “Impala – Armadale”, where I had a few long term laybys. I would talk to the late Josephine Fialides about Jewellery, and she would show me some extra special pieces. Josephine, herself a past member of the GAA Vic-Div Management Committee, encouraged me to study Gemmology to understand what I was purchasing at auction and online and avoid the potential for costly mistakes.

I first enrolled in the gemmology short course, then named Popular Gemmology, where I met the late Des Bumpstead and formed a friendship, following Des to Nunawading Lapidary club where he taught me faceting on a Thursday evening.

I studied the Diploma in Gemmology with the GAA from 2006 – 2007, and in 2008 returned as a volunteer to be Des’ assistant in Gem 1 prac. Des and I spent countless hours over many years – always on a Thursday evening at Nunawading – discussing ways which the gemstone collection could and should be extended and improved, and all things “Gemmo”. I never did much faceting, but with Des’ support I planned a total revamp of the cataloguing and renumbering of the GAA Vic-Div teaching collection, moving it online from the handwritten records.

I have been a constant member of the Victorian Division management committee since becoming the student rep in 2006. I was given the opportunity to teach the Gem 1 theory class in 2011, which is a position that I feel most privileged to hold. I took on the role of Treasurer of Gem-Ed in May 2013 and was elected as President of the Victorian Division in 2019. I am passionate about volunteering for the GAA, and value the friendships that I have formed through “Gemmo”.

I have worked at Hamid Bros Gemstone Merchants since 2008. In my spare time, I enjoy taking microphotographs of inclusions in gemstones through the microscope.

My father went opal mining in 1967 and got lucky, finding opal with colour which he later cut and polished. Fascinated by the lapidary work I took up the hobby and worked in the family retail business cutting stones. Realising I needed gemstone credibility for my work, I completed the Diploma in Gemmology in 1992, started lecturing Diploma theory in 1997 and have been the Education Officer since 1999.

I grew up in a family run jewellery business in Cape Town. One of my earliest associations with gemstones was as a child making a gift for my parents by taking a good bottle of wine and covering it with putty and then sticking heaps of reject and out of fashion gemstones onto the bottle.

I entered the industry in 1975 and served for many years on the Cape Jewellery Manufacturers Association and rose to become the chairman. I also represented the industry on the Cape Chamber of Industries, a body similar to VECCI in Melbourne.

Later I was on the Jewellery Council of South Africa, (the industries peak body) representing the manufacturing sector and shortly before emigrating to Australia in1990, I was elected the National Chairman.

On arrival in Australia I quickly became involved in the industry and was elected to the Victorian Branch committee of the JAA. In later years I Chaired the Branch and eventually I was elected JAA President.

In have always believed in the one industry viewpoint and have strived to engender close relations with all sectors of the trade.

In 2010 I decided that I wanted to know more about the gemstones that had always fascinated me and I began studies through the GAA in Melbourne. I find that being on the GAA Victorian Committee allows me to give something back to the trade and enjoy a sense of fulfilment

My background in graphic design and childhood obsession with crystals lead me into a creative role within the jewellery industry working as a designer, social media and marketing manager. Graduating with a Diploma in Gemmology in 2011 and continuing on as a lab assistant and short course teacher/creator, I then joined the GAA (Vic) Council in 2017. Writing regular articles for various jewellery publications over the past 8 years has given me the opportunity to share my passion for gemmology with the jewellery industry.

My interest in Gemmology was the result of my family wholesale gem merchant business that originated from my Sri Lankan grandfather. I completed my Diploma of Gemmology in 1975 followed by my Diamond Diploma. My enthusiasm for the GAA and education in the jewellery industry has seen me hold numerous positions with the Association such as lecturer, practical demonstrator, Federal and State President, Federal Chairman and Chief Examiner. I was proudly awarded an Honorary Life Membership in 2012. I believe the passion, selfless drive and friendship of our committee members over the years has been the inspiration to continue my involvement at the GAA.

I did my gemmology back in 1989 (I followed mother Beatrice whom did the Gemmology Diploma in her fifties) and have never look back at doing another course as you are continually learning. Gemmology is ever changing and evolving science. I love it. I also love the association as it is like having another family. It is also a great network for hobbyists and people in the jewellery industry.

I volunteer for the association by being the Federal Publicity and Marketing Officer and being on Victorian Council. It is a privilege to work with a great bunch of people!

I have a small Antique and Contemporary Jewellery shop in Melbourne and teach the Introduction to Antique Jewellery course in Melbourne.

I never at a young age thought this would be a career I would be so dedicated to for many years.

A College elective in metal work led to full time employment and an apprenticeship in Jewellery making and restoration at Collingwood Technical College. Developing skills in an ever changing industry and still learning to this day. Graduating in Gemmology in 2018 and being a student representative introduced me to an equally passionate group of individuals that strive to keep an industry in Gemstones equipped with an updated world wide standard of knowledge. I feel privileged to be a part of this community and hope my efforts may assist in keeping the GAA culture strong.

After working for 15 years in public libraries, I realised that it was time to bring my organisational skills into a different industry.

I am currently completing the final subjects of Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting at Swinburne University.

The people I meet at the GAA are dedicated to making positive contributions to the industry; and their passion for the beauty and science of the materials is genuine and inspiring.

I am also a musician, and I love walking to work most days. I buy a coffee at the Vic Market on the way.

I’ve always loved rocks but I did not imagine it could be a career!

When I discovered we could design a ring around any rock we picked, a whole world of gemstones opened up for me.

I found lapidarists who were selling precision cut gems and asked them how they learnt. This lead me to join the Essendon Lapidary Club. In time I realised I didn’t know much about what I was cutting.

I decided to sign up for the Diploma in Gemmology and here we are!

Chris Holdsworth has been involved with the GAA since becoming an FGAA in 1999. He has held positions on State and Federal Committee levels including Honorary President and Treasurer of both. Outside of the GAA he runs a small family retail jewellery company with three shops in the east of Melbourne.

I knew very early on that my career would centre around jewellery. I was always interested in art and loved collecting gems, fossils, and shells.

A childhood hobby of beading and bead-making quickly stepped up to silversmithing classes which led to my first job at a family-owned jewellery shop when I was in high school. Noticing my interest in coloured gems, my employer would send me home with all kinds of books on jewellery and gemstones to keep learning. Over 15 years later, I am working as a full-time jewellery designer and creating bespoke engagement and wedding rings.

I completed a Bachelor in Fine Art with a major in Jewellery and Small Objects and minor in Art Theory at the Queensland College of Art in 2014. I completed the Diploma of Gemmology in 2021 at the GAA in Victoria.

Gemmology is the perfect combination of science and beauty. My appreciation for this discipline has motivated me to join the Victorian committee, firstly as a student representative and then as a full member after graduation, as a means to contribute to our passionate and knowledgeable association.