Studying at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery, where she achieved distinction in both the FGA and DGA professional gemmology and diamond grading qualifications, she received several awards, including the Christie’s Prize for Gemmology in 2010.
Three years ago she was approached by The Gemmological Association of Great Britain to work as an examiner – preparing questions and marking the theory papers which form part of the GA’s international diploma.
The course, which can be undertaken part-time, is rising in popularity among those who hope to work with gemstones, either in the auction world, in gem dealing or as craftsman at the bench. In 2014 a total of 673 students sat the exams, a number rising to 696 in 2015 and 826 last year.
The use of foiled pink quartz was probably intended to replicate the fancy-coloured topaz from Brazilian mines which was a popular feature of Spanish and Portuguese jewellery of the period. Estimate £300-500.
