GIA scholarships open doors for students worldwide

By Jordan Clary

Scholarship recipient Jennifer Seligmann plans to use GIA's School of Business to learn ways to strengthen her business. "With the foundation that GIA will provide me, I will be better able to create a solid business model," Seligmann says. Photo courtesy of LocalFocusPhotography.com

They are GIA's 2008 scholarship winners, and this year GIA is making more dreams come true for students around the world than ever before by adding international students to the list of potential recipients.

John Najarian, from Jordan, is the third generation in a family of jewelers and says he is carrying on a tradition that's "in my blood."

He recalls the first time he watched his father create jewelry designs. "I was so fascinated by the intricacy that was required," he says. "From that moment, I believe the first stone was placed on the path for my gemstone career."

Nevertheless, he took some detours along the way. He moved to Beirut, Lebanon, where he earned his bachelor's degree in economics from the American University of Beirut. Although he initially thought he wanted a career apart from the family business, Najarian's heart returned to gemology.

"I didn't know how I was going to further my career. Then one day my father sent me an e-mail about international scholarships GIA was offering," he says. "If that wasn't a sign of fate, I don't know what is!"

Hema Malani will study for the Graduate Gemologist program in India. She hopes her GIA education will help her "make a positive impact as a representative of the Indian gemstone industry in the international arena. My endeavor will be to take forward the creative talent of the industry to the next level at par with the global standards." Photo courtesy of Hema Malani

Hema Malani, like Najarian, will also begin her gemological studies in Mumbai this year.

"As a child, colorful gemstones always fascinated me when I visited our family jeweler with my mother," the New Delhi native says. "The first pair of earrings I purchased made of three colored gems is still a treasured possession." In spite of her early attraction to gemstones, Malani planned on a medical career. But "providence had something else in store for me," she says.

She took a master's program in textiles and clothing and began to develop an interest in accessories, which led to a reawakening of her love of jewelry. She studied basic jewelry design in New Delhi followed by courses in manufacturing and gemology. Then her dream of earning a GIA G.G. diploma began to form.

Rhian Sage received a scholarship to complete the Graduate Gemologist program in London. When Sage finishes her GIA education she "would love to work within one of the GIA schools as an educator. I feel this would be a highly rewarding career ... to teach students like me. It would be amazing!" Photo courtesy of Rhian Sage

The day she opened her mail to find she had received a scholarship is still vivid. "I was totally ecstatic," she says, "And there was an element of sheer disbelief. It has truly overwhelmed me. This sense of achievement will stay with me for a lifetime."

Inspired by Love of Gems, Volunteerism
Sometimes it's hard to make sense of tragedy. When Marion H. Halfacre died suddenly last June, many were hit with a deep sadness and sense of loss – even some who had never met him.

"I read about Marion Halfacre and his wife, Lula, in InStore magazine," says Jennifer Germain of Buffalo, New York. "The article was about 'cool jewelry stores' and there were so many things about him and his store, Traditional Jewelers, that resonated with me: the custom-designed showcases, the Michelangelo mural on the ceiling, their use of lighting.

"Then, when I heard he had died, I felt such a profound sadness. My mother had recently died as well. She was 52; Marion was 58. My mother had been ill so I knew what it was like to grieve for someone you love. I felt so bad for Marion's family; to lose him so suddenly must have been terrible."

Germain was studying for her GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) diploma through Distance Education when her mother had a kidney transplant. She used to take her books to the hospital and would sit by her mother's bedside and study, sometimes reading out loud.

"My mom and I used to joke that she could get her A.J.P. diploma too. My mother loved jewelry and she nurtured my fascination with it. Actually, both of my parents had a huge influence on me. My father used to always tell me, find something you love doing and get paid doing it.'"

She wanted to continue her gemological studies, but since she'd taken time off work after her mother died, finances were tight, so she applied for scholarships to GIA. The day she opened her mail and found she had received the Marion H. Halfacre Memorial Scholarship, she was shocked. "I had to read it over to make sure I was reading it correctly," she says.

Grant T. Herrin, recipient of the Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship for GIA's Graduate Gemologist program, studied pre-med in his home state of Louisiana, but when he got to the upper levels, realized it was just not his calling. He went to talk to the dean of admissions who told him, "You seem to have a passion for gemstones. Why not pursue that as a career instead?" Photo by Jordan Clary

She volunteered for the National Kidney Foundation of Western New York after her mother died. "There are so many people undergoing such daily turmoil, but they still have faith that things will get better. It's really helped me put things into perspective," she says. This perspective is something she intends to hang on to through her education and into her career.

It's the interaction with customers Germain likes best about her work as a sales associate for Jewelry by Geno Designs Unlimited in Depew, New York. "My favorite sale is when you get a guy who comes in and he's a nervous wreck – you can tell he's so in love with this girl, but he only has a certain amount to spend. You get to educate him and help him find the perfect ring. That's every woman's dream – the day they get engaged, the day they get married. It's so great to be involved in that."

Germain will begin studying for her G.G. diploma at GIA's Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, California, in August.

Sarah Burns is a scholarship recipient for the Graduate Gemologist program in London. When she found out she had received her scholarship she said all her family and friends "kept reminiscing about how they remembered, even as a young child, how passionate I was about jewelry and gemstones and how now I could begin to fulfill my dreams." Photo courtesy of Sarah Burns

Burns sometimes worked in the jewelry department when she was an intern at Bonhams, an auction house of fine art and antiques in London, and learned about GIA from her co-workers when she asked how to enter the jewelry and gemstone trade.

"They said it was the world's leading authority in gemology," she says. "After this, I immediately started research on the organization and realized it was my way into the profession."

She sent in her application, but gave up hope of receiving a scholarship because she thought there were too many applicants for her to even be considered. Then one day her mother called to tell her that a letter had arrived from GIA.

"When I asked my mother to read the letter, we both screamed with elation," she says. "I feel unbelievably lucky to be chosen, as I wouldn't have been able to afford the course for many years – if ever – without the scholarship."

Burns received a scholarship for the On Campus G.G. program in London. "This scholarship will change my life. I cannot wait to jump head first into what I think to be one of the most exciting and interesting professions," she says. "Gemstones – and diamonds in particular – have been my passion in life and this scholarship has given me the opportunity to live my dream."

GIA Community Reaches Out
"Scholarships are part of what keep the Institute vital and are funded by donors in addition to GIA," says Bev Berthoty, manager, Institute Relations. "They bring in talented students from around the world and give them access to resources that would otherwise be out of reach."

Take Beth Thompson, a School of Business scholarship recipient who wants to develop her business savvy while she hones her gemstone and jewelry skills. Thompson, a U.S. native living in Europe, discovered polishing and faceting stones in Braunwald, Switzerland, and studied jewelry design in Montreux, Switzerland, until she decided to pursue a business diploma with GIA. She says she wanted "to help build my small business ⿦ because being exposed to the jewelry industry opens up additional avenues."

Each year GIA's scholarship funds continue to grow. "The public is looking to the person they buy their jewelry from as the expert. They want to know that they've studied gemstones so they can explain their choices to them," Berthoty says. "They have to trust the person or business they are buying from or they're going to take their business elsewhere. This growing need for expertise has been addressed by a significant growth in scholarships over the years," she says.

GIA scholarships are also a way for alumni and other constituents to pass on their legacy to future generations, Berthoty says.

The Eunice Miles Scholarship, named for the first female gemologist/researcher in GIA's Gem Trade Laboratory in 1953, for example, was created in 1994 by the GIA Manhattan Alumni Chapter and awards two annual $500 scholarships that are made possible by raffle donations collected at each of its meetings.

"All of the profits go into the fund," says Gail Brett Levine, treasurer of the chapter. "The generosity of our group is unbelievable."

Industry organizations and individuals have also taken up the GIA scholarship cause. A number of organizations, such as the Independent Jewelers Organization and California Jewelers Association, offer scholarships to demonstrate their commitment to educating future gemologists, jewelers and business students around the world. Many give scholarships in memory of, or in honor of, someone they love or is important to them.

Perhaps because scholarship recipients understand what a difference a helping hand can make, many beneficiaries are actively committed to returning the goodwill in any way they can.

Robert "Denny" Huebner, recipient of the Dennis Foltz Scholarship for the Graduate Gemologist program, says he hopes his scholarship opens the door "to bring self-sufficiency and growth to an organization that helps children in Kenya." Photo courtesy of Robert D. Huebner

"My goal is to get Rohi to sustain itself without relying on the U.S. for funds every month," Huebner says. "One of my ideas is to incorporate gemstones into the business side of Rohi. It seems to be a perfect product to export because it has a high value with low shipping costs."

One of the potential sustainability projects he envisions for Rohi is a cutting and polishing facility in Kenya that would train jobless adults "with a new skill to help them survive. The profits would go to supporting the children and helping them to finish high school and go on to university."

Huebner does not make a salary, so it would have been impossible for him to begin his gemstone education and implement his plans without the scholarship, he says.

He echoes the sentiments of this year's other GIA scholarship recipients when he says: "This is a dream come true for me. I have been thinking about my gemological education for a long time."

Applications for 2009 scholarships are available for download on the Institute's Web site beginning June 15.

Please note that scholarship applications must be submitted between June 15 and Oct. 15. Those sent to GIA at any other time will not be eligible.

For more information about making a donation to establish a scholarship, contact Institute Relations Manager Bev Berthoty at (760) 603-4120 or e-mail bev.berthoty@gia.edu

2008 Scholarships Valued at $10,000 or More
Donor Funded GIA Scholarships
Michael Beaudry Scholarship: $29,560
Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship (2): $22,220
Kazanjian Scholarship (2): $20,000
Marion H. Halfacre Scholarship: $14,800
William Goldberg Diamond Corporation Scholarship: $10,000

GIA Scholarships
Scholarship for New York, Los Angeles, or Carlsbad (4): $59,200
Scholarship for India (3): $42,840
Scholarship for London (2): $38,440
Jack Abelson Scholarship: $14,800
James R. Lucey Scholarship: $14,800
Robert Kammerling Scholarship: $14,800
Vincent Manson Scholarship: $14,800