MajorsSep 05, 2023
BIJC Announces Jewelry-Focused High School ProgramGradingDec 06, 2023
GIA Debuts Revamped Graduate Jeweler Program
By mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.
The Gemological Institute of America has revamped its Graduate Jeweler Diploma Program.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Jeweler Diploma Program will be back next year, with a few new elements.
The program, taught at the Carlsbad campus, was on hiatus for 18 months to make revisions and update equipment. In late 2022, GIA enlisted educator, master goldsmith, and jewelry designer Alan Revere to update the program.
The redesigned course will teach a wide range of skills in the hopes of creating a new generation of designers who can also repair and refurbish jewelry, helping to fill the current need for bench jewelers.
“This program is a significant leap forward in jewelry manufacturing education, blending foundational technical knowledge of bench jewelry with a focus on creative expression and how to apply these skills in the industry,” said GIA.
The 28-week program focuses on traditional jewelry fabrication, teaching essential skills including sawing, piercing, measuring, layout, filing, forging, bending, twisting and advanced torch techniques, as well as soldering, annealing, and brazing.
To meet the growing consumer demand for custom jewelry, students will also learn hand fabrication, wax carving, and lost wax casting.
There will be creative projects that let students produce their own designs, as well as technical ones that involve jewelry repair, a skill jewelers look for in an apprentice.
It also offers gemstone setting training and lessons on casting, wax carving, laser welding, metallurgy, and hand engraving, with expanded lessons on fancy-shaped stones and setting with gravers.
GIA’s classrooms have also been stocked with new equipment to allow students to practice and hone these skills.
Related stories will be right here …
The program, taught at the Carlsbad campus, was on hiatus for 18 months to make revisions and update equipment. In late 2022, GIA enlisted educator, master goldsmith, and jewelry designer Alan Revere to update the program.
The redesigned course will teach a wide range of skills in the hopes of creating a new generation of designers who can also repair and refurbish jewelry, helping to fill the current need for bench jewelers.
“This program is a significant leap forward in jewelry manufacturing education, blending foundational technical knowledge of bench jewelry with a focus on creative expression and how to apply these skills in the industry,” said GIA.
The 28-week program focuses on traditional jewelry fabrication, teaching essential skills including sawing, piercing, measuring, layout, filing, forging, bending, twisting and advanced torch techniques, as well as soldering, annealing, and brazing.
To meet the growing consumer demand for custom jewelry, students will also learn hand fabrication, wax carving, and lost wax casting.
There will be creative projects that let students produce their own designs, as well as technical ones that involve jewelry repair, a skill jewelers look for in an apprentice.
It also offers gemstone setting training and lessons on casting, wax carving, laser welding, metallurgy, and hand engraving, with expanded lessons on fancy-shaped stones and setting with gravers.
GIA’s classrooms have also been stocked with new equipment to allow students to practice and hone these skills.
"Our objective is to instill students with a proficiency in safe practices and jewelry manufacturing techniques that exceed industry standards by setting the bar higher," said GIA Senior Vice President of Education and Chief Academic Officer Duncan Pay.
“Leveraging decades of experience in teaching Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, coupled with the expertise of master goldsmith and award-winning jewelry designer Alan Revere, we've developed a program that hones not only classical technical skills but also integrates cutting-edge tools and equipment within our state-of-the-art classrooms.”
The project-based course teaches techniques that can be applied to fine jewelry manufacturing and retail jewelry repair, letting students build up a portfolio to share with potential employers and clients.
The program dates are Jan. 22 – Aug. 1, 2024; May 13 – Nov. 21, 2024; and Sept. 9, 2024, to April 7, 2025.
For more information about the program, visit the GIA website.
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
