Renowned gemmological institutes including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and Asian Gemmological Institute and Laboratory Limited (AGIL) often provide jewellery practitioners with a wide range of courses in Hong Kong to equip them with the latest gemmological knowledge. During last September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, Hong Kong jewellery industry announced a new member called Gübelin Academy, which is dedicated to teaching the appreciation and historical value of coloured gemstones. Having run the Academy for half a year by now, managing director Helen Molesworth shares with Hong Kong Jewellery the core mission and future plans of the institute.
The first step of expanding the Asian market by the 6-generation family business, Gübelin was to establish the Hong Kong Gübelin Gem Lab which conducts gemmological testing and analyses for the trade. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Eduard Gübelin, the third generation gemmologist, the brand founded the Gübelin Salon and Gübelin Academy last year in Hong Kong. Molesworth said: “the Academy would offer gemmological education encompassing the practical, technical and inspirational by sharing Gübelin’s expertise in imparting passion and emotion in coloured gemstones.” She continued:
“The wonderful world of coloured stones is more than just facts and figures, specific gravities and refractive indices; it includes an irremovable romanticism and value founded in precious historical associations and seeming miracles of nature.”
It is said that the arrival of Gübelin Academy will benefit to a better jewellery education for Hong Kong on one hand, on the other it might stir up fiercer competitions among gemmological institutes in the city. Molesworth clarified: “It should be great! Education is about sharing with others instead of competing with fraternities. In addition, there is always a need of education in the jewellery industry. What we offer is completely different from others.”
Courses are created ranging from level 1 to level 3. Level 1 introduces rubies, emeralds and sapphires and their respective gemmological, practical and historical basics. Level 2 continues to delve into the details of the physical, chemical and optical properties of the Big Three. Level 3 focuses on gemstones’ treatment and origin through its reference collection and images archive. It also delivers the hands on ‘need to knows’ of the Big Three in the gem business.
According to Molesworth, the market response was well received for level 1 with the attendance of students from China, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and more. Many of them questioned on the starting date of the next level after finishing the beginner course. “The hot topic must be the financial part of coloured gemstones. Increasingly people focus on gemstone investment nowadays. However, there is a lack of international standardization like the 4C standard in diamonds. Therefore, everyone is interested in learning how much a gemstone is worth,” she joked. Followed the well-received level 1 course, the Academy will soon introduce the level 2 and level 3 classes in 2014. Molesworth disclosed: “Our current course plan will end at level 3. However, we may further develop and offer more courses if people show their great interest and demand in the future. This is an amazing subject. Gemmologists including me are still exploring and learning new information.”
Besides offering gemmological courses, the Academy will periodically organize seminars at jewellery fairs with different guest speakers to discuss specific types of gemstones. In the coming September Hong Kong fair, it will hold a series of ruby-themed events. Molesworth concluded: “Following the successfully established Hong Kong Gübelin Gem Lab, we launched the Academy in Hong Kong. From here, we hope to encourage and inspire students not only in Hong Kong, but also throughout China and Asia in the future.”
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