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Julia Griffith FGA DGA EG

Hi there. I'm Julia, the gemmologist behind THE GEM ACADEMY. I specialise in teaching jewellery professionals about the most important topic in our trade right now - laboratory-grown diamonds. I have been an educator in the jewellery industry for 10 years.

My gemmological journey started in 2010, when I enrolled in the HND Gemmology Diploma course at The School of Jewellery, Birmingham. Here, I fell in love with gemmology under my tutor and mentor Kate Hopley.

I did very well as a student. I won the Gemmology Student Award for the HND Diploma and a Diamond Award, sponsored by Fellows Auctioneers, in 2012. I was honoured to receive The Bruton Medal for exceptional work in the Gem-A Diamond Diploma examinations in 2011. I left The School of Jewellery with two diplomas in Gemmology and one diploma in diamonds. During my studies, I worked part-time at Fellows Auctioneers. Fellows is an incredible place to work and this is where I gained an appreciation for fine jewellery.

Once I left BCU, I worked one year in retail at the best jewellers in my home town, Parkhouse (now known as Laings) before I was invited to work as an intern in the Gem-A library in 2013.

At Gem-A, I was quickly moved to the teaching team as I demonstrated a knack for education - a passion that I've stuck to ever since. I worked as a primary tutor in Gem-A HQ for 4.5 years before I got the itchiest feet to go and travel. Next stop... Australia.

In 2018, I travelled to Australia to go dig for gems. "Fossicking" and collecting gems and minerals is now a keen hobby of mine. I regularly hunt for gems in Cornwall, Devon and Derbyshire.

#treasurehunting

I have a designated Instagram page to showcase the things I find.

Click here to view @gemtripper page.