Jewelry appraiser and designer Rosemarie Evans, G.J.G., might never have learned about GIA if it weren’t for a frustrating shopping experience 12 years ago. As she looked for a tennis bracelet, she wondered why the prices varied so greatly when so many bracelets appeared to be the same. This sparked a curiosity that led her to enroll at the Institute in Santa Monica.

Evans earned her G.G. in 1993 and her G.J.G the following year before beginning a career as a jewelry designer and appraiser. She also held numerous officer positions in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire chapters of the GIA Alumni Association.
 
She was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, however, and was forced to leave the industry to try to beat the disease. She has been in remission for the last four years and has found help and support from her family.

But Evans’ battle gave her a new perspective on life and she learned to cherish every moment. She works part-time in her home jewelry workshop designing and manufacturing pieces for family and friends.

Q: How did you first become interested in jewelry?
A: I was fascinated with my mother’s aquamarine jewelry when I was a young girl. I later found out the gems were synthetic spinel, but vowed to one day recreate some of the pieces with the real thing. I bought some beautiful aquamarines and am working on just the right design for them.

Q: What is it about gems or jewelry that intrigues you?    
A: You can take nature’s gifts – already beautiful – and through an inspired design, coupled with superb craftsmanship, create something so beautiful it takes your breath away.
 
Q: What first brought you to GIA?    
A: Well, I had a dilemma. While shopping for jewelry, I wanted to get the best buy, but didn’t know how to tell quality. I had a wonderful relationship with my jeweler and she suggested I quench my thirst for knowledge at GIA. 

Q: What was your experience like when you were a GIA student? 
A: I loved it. It was the greatest challenge I ever had. Studying gemology was like studying the blueprints of nature. I learned with kids the same age as my children. Many international students, who were away from home for the first time, made me the room mother.

Q: Are there any important lessons you learned that you still use today?
A: Integrity – total honesty with a customer should be a jeweler’s first goal. The rewards will follow.

Q: Who are your role models?
A: The professional men and women teaching at GIA. I learned that if you break a stone while you’re setting it, you not only tell the client, be prepared to replace it with a better stone. The ethical values they teach are critical to survival in the industry.

Q: What has had the biggest influence on your life?      
A: I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2000. After going through chemotherapy, I seemed to lose my passion for life. To recover, I had to learn to take time to find beauty again. I take one picture each day of the most inspiring thing I see and that has helped me regain my appreciation for beauty in life.

Q: You earned both a Graduate Gemologist diploma and a Graduate Jeweler (JMA) diploma. Your workshop is comprised of a gemological laboratory and an area for bench work. Do you prefer one type of work over the other?
A: I prefer gemological work since I feel my education prepared me well for appraising. I love JMA work and have designed and created many jewelry pieces, but feel I could use a lot more practice.

Q: What are some aspects of this industry that set it apart from other industries you’ve worked in?
A: I used to work in the steel and cement industry as a research chemist. I also sat on the boards of other industry organizations, including the South Coast Air Quality Hearing Board, the San Bernardino County grand jury and the National Charity League. The jewelry industry is more up-close and personal. Emotions like love, gratitude, appreciation and goodwill are what initiate sales in the jewelry store and I like that personal touch.

Q: You’ve been involved in a lot of volunteer work. What do you get out of volunteering?        
A: You always get back more than you give. When I found myself in leadership positions, I learned to rise to the occasion. I found it a challenge to discover new ways to motivate others to do their very best and that it all depended on good two-way communication.

Q:How did you first become involved with the Alumni Association?     
A: I went to school in Santa Monica and helped other students start a chapter in
Los Angeles.

Q: Why do you continue to support the Alumni Association?     
A: GIA is such a wonderful school. I feel I have the volunteer experience to help organize the chapters, so it is a way I can give back. In addition to starting the Los Angeles Chapter, I also assisted in starting the Inland Empire Chapter and held several officer
positions, including president.

Q: What advice would you give to a prospective GIA student who is thinking  about signing up for courses?       
A: Whatever you put into your studies is what you get out. It’s your choice. Make it your priority, but better yet ... your passion.