MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
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
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to SeattleThe trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
