Accredited Gemmologist – Why Real Expertise is No Coincidence
My Gemology Training in Bangkok – Six Months in the Heart of the Colored Gemstone World
If you really want to understand gemstones, you have to go where they are traded. That is precisely why I spent six months at the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) in Bangkok to become an Accredited Gemologist (A.G.).
*Gemmology = The study of gemstones - a branch of mineralogy that deals exclusively with precious stones.
Bangkok is considered one of the most important hubs for the international colored gemstone trade. Traders, cutters, and gemologists from all over the world meet here. Rubies, sapphires, spinels, or alexandrites – there is hardly anywhere else where you can see as many extraordinary gemstones as in this city.
For me, this time was not just a training program, but an intensive immersion into the world of gemology and the international gemstone trade.
Why I Trained as a Gemologist
Although I have been working in the gemstone business for several years, I wanted to further deepen my knowledge. It was important to me to offer my clients advice based on sound gemological training and internationally recognized expertise.
Trust is crucial in the gemstone trade. Many stones on the market are treated or synthetically produced. Therefore, it is important that a gemologist can scientifically analyze and correctly evaluate gemstones.
With my training at the AIGS in Bangkok, I wanted to expand exactly this expertise.
Gemology in Practice – My Training at AIGS
A central component of the training was gemstone identification in the laboratory. Using instruments such as microscopes, refractometers, or spectroscopes, gemologists learn to determine gemstones based on their physical properties.
Another important area was the distinction between natural, synthetic, and treated gemstones – a critical topic in the international gemstone trade.
Furthermore, we studied the grading of gemstones intensively, i.e., their evaluation based on color, clarity, cut, and market value. Especially with high-quality colored gemstones, minimal differences can have a major impact on the price.
Diamond grading was also part of the training.
Gemstones Outside the Lab
In addition to the training, experiences outside the institute were particularly formative. In Bangkok, I was able to regularly visit gemstone markets and meet traders from all over the world.
A visit to a mine was a particularly impressive moment for me. Only there does it become truly visible how much work goes into every single gemstone.
I was also able to try cutting a gemstone myself – an experience that fosters great respect for the work of the cutters.
A Trained Eye – and New Favorite Stones
During this time, I learned to trust my eye even more. Some experienced traders told me that I have a good intuition for selecting exactly those stones from a large group that are truly exceptional.
At the same time, I realized how complex the world of gemstones is. The more you learn, the more you realize how much there is still left to discover.
Interestingly, my personal taste has also changed. A gemstone that barely interested me in the past fascinates me today: Alexandrite, known for its impressive color change.
What This Training Means for Valoterna
My training as an Accredited Gemologist has not only changed my perspective on gemstones but has also shaped our work at Valoterna.
Our quality standards are even higher today. Every gemstone is carefully inspected, and we place great value on transparency. We now have all our gemstones internationally certified – even smaller stones under 500 euros.
The title A.G. – Accredited Gemologist is therefore more than just a qualification for me. It stands for an important milestone, a seal of quality – and a promise to our clients.
After all, anyone buying a gemstone from Valoterna should feel secure. For us, providing advice always takes precedence over a quick sale.