Accredited Gemologist – Why true expertise is no accident

6 months in Bangkok – My training as a jewelry designer and accredited gemologist (AG)

From the gemstone trade to the center of the colored gemstone world: Why, despite 5 years of experience, I decided to learn all over again.

Why Bangkok? Why AIGS?

From July to December I spent six intensive months at AIGS – Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences in Bangkok , one of the most internationally renowned training institutions for colored gemstones.

Bangkok is the global center for rubies, sapphires, spinels, alexandrites, and other colored gemstones. Nowhere else can you see as many extraordinary stones in a single week as you would in an entire career here.

The training was full-time, exclusively in-person – in English – and internationally accredited. Today I hold the title AG – Accredited Gemologist .

And this abbreviation is not just a title to me.
It's a milestone. A seal of quality. And a promise.

Jewelry design: From paper to iPad

My training began with two intensive courses in jewelry design:

  • Classical hand drawing

  • Digital design on the iPad

Here I learned to think about gemstones not only analytically, but also creatively. Proportion, light effect, setting technique – a stone only unfolds its full effect through the right design.

Gemmology in four stages – from the microscope to grading

The gemological section was divided into four main areas:

1. Gemstone identification in the laboratory

Working with:

  • microscope

  • Refractometer

  • Polarizing filter

  • spectroscope

Here I learned to identify gemstones scientifically – not by feeling, but by measurable parameters.

2. Natural vs. synthetic vs. treated

One of the most important parts.
The reliable distinction between:

  • natural stones

  • synthetic stones

  • treated gemstones

This is particularly crucial in the investment sector. 95–99% of many gemstones on the market are treated. Here, expertise determines their value.

3. Grading of gemstones

Rating according to:

  • Color

  • purity

  • cut

  • proportion

  • Market value

This explains why minimal color variations in a ruby ​​or spinel can make a difference of several thousand euros per carat in price.

4. Diamond Science

A separate section was dedicated to the 4Cs, evaluation systems and market mechanisms in the diamond trade.

More gemstones in 6 months than some people in a lifetime.

I've been in the gemstone business for five years.
But in these six months I have seen more extraordinary stones than many jewelers in their entire professional lives.

Bangkok means:

  • daily access to international dealers

  • direct contacts with mine operators

  • Gemstone markets with top quality

  • Excursions to mines

  • self-grinding on the grinding wheel

Walking into a mine made my legs tremble.
My first attempt at grinding showed me how incredibly difficult it is – even though it looks so easy from the outside.

This humility changes the way you look at every single stone.

A trained eye – and a new love for alexandrite

Many experienced traders told me in Bangkok:
"You have the right eye."

Picking the three most beautiful stones out of 100 – that takes practice, experience, and intuition.

At the same time, I became more humble.
The more you know, the more you realize how much you don't know.

And suddenly I was drawn to a gemstone that I had previously hardly noticed: Alexandrite .
When I saw an alexandrite tennis bracelet on a friend, I was speechless. Today I wear alexandrite myself.

Why I did this training

Despite my previous gemological training, it wasn't enough for me.

I want my customers to know:

  • My knowledge is sound.

  • My qualifications are internationally recognized.

  • My advice is based on science, not sales pitches.

There are only a few internationally accredited gemologists in Austria.
A year spent at the heart of the colored gemstone trade is worth more than many years of theory in Europe.

The network, the direct access to mine operators and international traders – all of this would not have been possible otherwise.

What has changed for Valoterna

Since my return, our quality standards have become even stricter.

Today, the following applies to us:

  • International certification – even for stones under 500 euros

  • No compromises on transparency

  • Critical examination of each individual gemstone

  • Pre-sale consultation

I shop differently now.
I rate faster.
And I'm making even more selective decisions.

AG – More than a title

When I knew I had successfully completed my training, it was:

  • A milestone

  • A quality seal

  • A promise

A promise to my customers.

What we stand for

When you purchase a gemstone from Valoterna, you should think:

That's real expertise.
I feel comfortable here.
Here, consultation takes precedence over a quick sale.
Here I feel safe.

Because gemstones are not impulse buys.
They are values ​​– emotional and material.

And that's exactly how we treat them.

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  • Gemologist Austria

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