CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
GradingOct 02, 2019
Gemewizard Now Offers Online Education
The Gem Color Academy has kicked off with a colored stone grading course.
A screenshot from Gem Color Academy’s inaugural Colored Stones Grading Course
Ramat Gan, Israel—Gemewizard, which provides digital solutions for the analysis, description, pricing and trading of color in gemstones and colored diamonds, has launched a new educational arm.
The Gem Color Academy will provide professional-level knowledge and experience for the gem and jewelry industry.
Guy Borenstein, vice president and chief academic officer, said the company wanted to offer courses that gives the students “the extra mile they lack and almost always need in order to properly (and successfully) play in the real trade,” complimenting other gemological education by providing “added value in order to understand the market language and its know-how secrets.”
To launch, the academy has introduced a distance education course dedicated to colored gemstone grading.
Drawing from the company’s founders’ more than 40 years of gemological experience, the online course provides students with an in-depth understanding about the grading, evaluation and pricing of gems.
The Colored Stones Grading Course ($1,000) examines issues related to color, clarity, cut, geographical origin, treatments, optical phenomena and other attributes that define their quality and determine their value.
It focuses on the gemstones most commonly handled in the trade gem, including ruby, emerald, sapphire, aquamarine, alexandrite, garnet, spinel, tanzanite and tourmaline.
Students will be able to access hundreds of gem images and numerous educational videos online and participate in more than 100 interactive exercises in sorting, grading and pricing of gems, using digital master rulers.
The course also puts a strong emphasis on hands-on practice. Gemewizard will provide students with a mailed kit comprising 25 gem samples accurately depicting the most important shades in the colored gemstone range and a comprehensive set of Colored Stones Grading course notes.
Students are assigned to a specific class with its own teacher—experienced gemologists and educators—who assist them for the entire duration of the course, answering questions, checking assignments and examinations, and monitoring progress.
They also can communicate with colleagues in the class to swap insights, experience and knowledge.
“The goal we set ourselves in developing the course was that it should bridge the gap between theoretical gemology and commercial reality, where sometimes subtle variances in gem properties translate into substantial differences in value,” said Menahem Sevdermish, president of Gemewizard and a founder of the Gem Color Academy.
“Professionals need to understand how color is derived and how it should be measured and defined in a wide variety of gemstones, and how that, together
with other properties, impacts real-time value in the marketplace. Graduates of the academy will be provided with a knowledge base that is widely sought after in our industry.”
Students will receive a one-year subscription to the full suite of Gemewizard products, including GemePrice, an online pricing system and price list for gemstones and diamonds.
A Colored Diamonds Grading Course will launch next month. The Gem Color Academy will announce other new courses soon.
Borenstein told National Jeweler the Gem Color Academy is also in the process of signing agreements with colleges around the world to offer these courses in an on-site class format and in other languages, such as Spanish and French.
The first agreement with a college in South Africa will be announced soon. Other colleges in the U.S., Europe and Asia are in the agreement finalization step and will be announced in the following weeks.
For more information or to enroll, visit GemColorAcademy.com.
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
EditorsDec 31, 2025
The Top 5 Stories of 2025Articles about crime, engagement rings, and a necklace worn in the World Series generated the most interest among readers.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
