Hello
Hello there, friends! My name is Julia Griffith, and I am thrilled to be an educator in the exciting field of gemmology, with a special focus on laboratory-grown diamonds.
​
For me, teaching is not just a profession - it's my passion. I absolutely love sharing my knowledge and expertise with others, and there's nothing more rewarding than seeing my students thrive and succeed.
​
Even if you're not already a gemmology enthusiast, I promise that my content is accessible and engaging for everyone! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, I believe that there's something to be gained from exploring the fascinating world of laboratory-grown diamonds.
​
So if you're interested in learning more about laboratory-grown diamonds, or if you're simply looking for a fun and engaging way to expand your knowledge, I'm thrilled your here. Let's explore the world of laboratory-grown diamonds together!
Why laboratory-grown diamonds
While laboratory-grown diamonds offer a accessible option for consumers to own beautiful stones, there are many challenges associated with this growing industry. One of the primary concerns is the potential for fraud and misrepresentation.
​
Because laboratory-grown diamonds can be virtually indistinguishable from natural diamonds, it can be difficult everyone to determine the origin of the stone they are dealing with - regardless of whether you've been dealing with diamonds for your whole career. This has led to instances of fraudulent activity from all angles, with some unscrupulous sellers intentionally misrepresenting laboratory-grown diamonds as natural ones to consumers selling second-hand laboratory-grown diamonds as natural diamonds back into the industry.
​
Another issue is the potential for laboratory-grown diamonds to be missold to consumers who may not fully understand the differences between natural and laboratory-grown stones. While laboratory-grown diamonds can be eco-friendly, this is not always true. They also do not hold their value in the same way that natural diamonds do at retail level. Every year the price of these stones in shop windows are decreasing. Consumers who are not aware of this may be disappointed in their purchase later on.
​
To combat these issues, it is important for consumers to be educated and informed about the differences between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. Who teaches them? We all do. If you are involved in the jewellery industry in any way - your conversations have a ripple effect teaching many people about laboratory-grown diamonds. My courses can help you accurately disclose the necessary information to your customers. Learn with me and look like the pro whilst maintaining the trust and satisfaction of your clients.
​
Why not sign up for one of my courses today. Want to protect your business and learn how to identify laboratory-grown diamonds? Join one of my workshops. Want to learn more about them so you better discuss them with your customers? Join one of my online courses.
My Story
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.
​
​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 at Fellows Auctioneers for one year. Then I did one year in retail at the best jewellers in my home town, before I was invited to work at Gem-A 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 5 years before I got the itchiest feet to go and travel.
In 2018, I travelled to Australia to go dig for gems. My main targets were agates, topaz, and sapphire.
Collecting gems and minerals is now a keen hobby of mine. I have hunted for gems in Cornwall, Devon and Derbyshire.
​
I have a designated Instagram page to showcase the things I find.
​
Click here to view my @gemtripper page.
The world was locked down due to Covid-19 from March 2020. I had just moved back to the UK after working with fancy coloured diamonds in the USA and I was without a job. Webinars began to surge from the gem and jewellery industry. What's a jobless gemmology educator to do? Get involved, of course!
I was amongst the earliest providers of these webinars starting on April 1st and provided in association with Gem-A. These lectures focused on specialised areas within gemmology including treatments, composites and synthetic gem materials. The response from the gemmological community was amazing! These webinars have collectively had over 200,000 views. You can check out the Gem-A LIVE webinars here.
This experience gave me the idea to start my own education platform that offers niche education in gemmology. First topic? Laboratory-grown diamonds. Never has there ever been such an important topic in our trade. I proudly offer the most accessible yet comprehensive education available through my company The Gem Academy.
​
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
+447552 235298