Catherine Attended Her Diamond Grading Lab!

Catherine is on her way to becoming a Graduate Gemologist through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and earlier this year, she attended her Diamond Grading Lab!

There were 16 jewelry professionals, including her, from all across the US in a classroom and one teacher from GIA. They all were provided with the equipment needed to grade Diamonds (microscope, tweezers, cloth, neutral toned tray, etc).

The course was hosted by Jewelers Mutual in Neenah, Wisconsin, who partnered with The Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) and GIA.

The lab consisted of five 8-hour days where they literally looked at dozens of Diamonds top to bottom and learned the grading process!



The final consisted of grading two Diamonds in a two hour period, which may seem like a lot of time, but not only did they have to grade color, cut, clarity, and fluorescence - they also had to take very precise measurements of the angles of the Diamond, the table size, and draw/notate all of the inclusions and blemishes exactly where they appear on the Diamond.

Catherine was one of only two recipients to receive a full scholarship towards the class! Her next goal since she finished her Colored Stones online course in January, is to complete the in-person Colored Stone Grading Lab!