Gemology Instructors

Dennis’ jewelry career spans the globe. He lectured on South Sea cultured pearl and jadeite on a cruise ship in Asia, worked as a retail sales professional in Alaska, and as a head jeweler. Before becoming a Distance Education instructor at GIA, he owned a successful custom jewelry business for two years. Dennis is a great communicator whose world travels and industry experience make him an effective Distance Education instructor. He brings his joy and passion for gems and jewelry to his teaching and enjoys watching students learn and grow.

In addition to her GIA credentials, Michele holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from Washburn University. Before joining GIA as a Distance Education instructor in 2004, Michele worked for more than nine years as a jewelry sales professional, staff gemologist appraiser, and owned and operated an independent appraisal practice serving retailers and the public. Prior to her jewelry career she taught English at the high school and college levels. With a true passion for education and learning, Michele enjoys "academic volleys" with her students - inquiries that move students from comprehension to successful adaptation and performance in real-life situations.

Michelle has been a GIA Distance Education instructor since 1999 and brings a world of experience to teaching, from within and outside the gem and jewelry industry. Before joining GIA, she owned her own successful jewelry business and worked as a retail sales professional and retail manager. Michelle says her experience demonstrates her passion for working with people and making a difference – along with her passion for jewelry. "Working with students while they journey to become great gemologists" is what Michelle says she loves about being a GIA Distance Education instructor.

A self-proclaimed “science freak” who became interested in astronomy, gems, and minerals at age 10, Michael learned lapidary skills in high school and went on to study geology. Michael has over 30 years experience in the gem trade, particularly in sales, management, buying, grading, training, appraisals, and designing. He is also an AGS Certified Gemologist; Assistant Curator for Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Museum in San Diego, CA. and a frequent contributor to Gems & Gemology.  Michael has been a GIA instructor for 14 years and finds great pleasure in teaching and passing on what he’s learned to people from all over the globe.

Catherine worked in jewelry retail for 10 years before earning her Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1995. She joined GIA as a Lab instructor that same year and taught courses across the United States and Canada, and in London and Malaysia. Catherine became a Distance Education instructor in 2003, and enjoys her interaction with students. "I like helping students achieve their educational goals. It gives them the confidence they need to succeed in today's industry."

Martin’s jewelry career began in a high school art class where he made his first ring using the lost wax casting process and he continued taking art and jewelry making classes in college. He earned his GIA Graduate Jeweler and Graduate Diamonds diplomas on campus, later completing his Graduate Gemologist diploma through distance education while working full time. An AGS Registered Jeweler and Certified Gemologist, as well as a JA Certified Store Manager, Martin’s trade experience includes working as a bench jeweler, production manager and buyer in the wholesale sector, and 16 years in retail. Martin teaches the Carlsbad on-campus Graduate Gemologist program.

A specialist in both the theory and practice of diamond grading, colored stone grading, and gem identification, Brenda’s expertise comes from a ten-year background in retail and formal gemological training. Her passion for gems and jewelry, her keenness to absorb product knowledge, and her flair for customer relations helped her develop a career in retail that included sales, buying, and preparation work for custom jewelry design and manufacture. Her love of gems and jewelry brought her to GIA to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma, and in 1999 she was hired as an on-campus instructor at GIA Carlsbad.  Brenda has also taught at several campuses around the world.

A GIA Lab class instructor since 2005, Larry holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Washington, along with decades of jewelry retail experience both in sales and management. He began his jewelry career at Friedlander and Sons Jeweler, moving up through the ranks to manage three stores in nearly 8 years. He later spent 19 years at Ben Bridge Jewelers, managing two stores, training countless sales associates, and creating sales and training seminars for new associates and existing employees. An energetic participant and board member of many community service groups, Larry enjoys gardening, art, reading, and working at GIA.

A GIA Graduate Gemologist since 1984, James spent 12 years as Technical Director of Enchante Jewelry Company, a New Delhi firm specializing in the manufacture of studded and plain gold jewelry. He joined GIA as an instructor in 2004, bringing his wealth of industry experience to the classroom. Jim says, “It brings me great joy to help students understand the concepts and practice of gemology, and to witness their feelings of accomplishment as they progress through their studies.”

Nina had been working in the jewelry trade for four years, when she realized having her G.G. would give her the knowledge needed to advance her career. After graduating from GIA,  she put her skills to work at Bergmann’s Fine Jewelry as manager and appraiser for eleven years. She joined GIA as an instructor in 2007, bring with her experience and in-depth knowledge of selling, designing, and buying jewelry.

Abba received his Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA in 1994.  Prior to attending GIA, he worked in the jewelry trade for over 30 years as a journeyman silversmith, benchman, caster, buyer, designer, service manger, operation manager, owner, and appraiser. He brings his vast experience and knowledge to the classroom where he guides students through the process of understanding the basics of gemology and how to master gemological equipment. His biggest thrill and ultimate satisfaction are when students begin to grasp gemology - “The light bulb gets turned on and the spark starts to ignite.” 

After earning his Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1994, Ric spent a year and a half working as a lapidary on a $1.5 million dollar gemological art project with American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Cutting Edge Award winners Lew Wackler, Tom Finneran and Thomas Harth Ames. He then went on to facet colored stones for a gemstone wholesaler, and selling them at gem shows. Ric joined GIA in 1997 as a Distance Education instructor, where he specialized in teaching gem identification. He has been teaching Lab classes since 1999.

Kate has worked in GIA Distance Education since 2005. Before joining GIA, she did bench work and design for a glass artisan for six years. She also has several years experience working with a jewelry parts supplier. Kate’s experience in jewelry retail, wholesale, and design has allowed her to develop a unique understanding of the art of creating pieces of jewelry from start to finish. "Being a part of the joy and pride that students have for themselves once they accomplish their goals" is what she loves about being a GIA Distance Education instructor.

A 14-year veteran of the jewelry industry, Shelly’s experience includes retail management, sales, jewelry design and purchasing for a leading jewelry company in the United States. She is a GIA Lab class instructor who thoroughly enjoys teaching the fundamentals of gemology. Her real world business experience is an added bonus. Before becoming a gemologist, she was an accomplished musician and music teacher. She operated her own entertainment company and worked in several European and Asian markets. While in Asia she worked for a Hong Kong jewelry company and specialized in international sales and marketing.   

Ann was inspired to pursue a jewelry career while working for a jeweler in Australia. In 1997, she was working in a suburban Chicago jewelry store when she decided to attend the GIA Carlsbad campus. She graduated with Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler diplomas and received certificates in Jewelry Design, Wax Carving, Hand Engraving, and Advanced Stone Setting. She is also an Accredited Jewelry Professional. She advanced in the retail field to head jeweler before becoming a GIA instructor, presently teaching in GIA’s Distance Education department.

A former nurse, Bonnie traded her stethoscope for a spectroscope to follow her passion for gems and jewelry.  She earned a Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA, and went to work for a colored gemstone wholesaler in Montana, later becoming the manager of a prominent independent retail jewelry store. During that time, Bonnie not only excelled on the sales floor, but also on the bench, where she learned the fundamentals of design and repair. A natural educator with more than 10 years industry experience, Bonnie has an intuition for teaching and a passion for learning. And for nearly two years now, Bonnie has had the opportunity to teach gemology to GIA students all over the world.

A New York City native with a degree in Geology, Phil was drawn to the gem collection at the Museum of Natural History and “got hooked” on the beauty of gems. Phil began his career as a diamond grader in the GIA Laboratory, and was part of the team that traveled to the Smithsonian to grade the Hope diamond. Holding the stone in his hands and sensing its incredible history is one of his greatest memories and moments in his career. Phil has taught almost every gemology program and class in almost every country GIA has a campus, and in 1988, received one of GIA’s great honors, the Staff of the Year Award.