HI, I did a little gemmology five years ago when I studied with Gem A foundation course, I never took the exam as I moved to the Far East and lived in Malaysia for three years. I started selling silver jewellery and gemstones but after getting asked by two friend’s if I could help them with purchasing engagement rings, I decided this was the route I wanted to specialise in. On my return to the UK I decided to do Gem A’s Diamond diploma and graduated fully this year, (although I did the practical side of the examination the year before) I now offer private consultations and help people source the diamond to suit their price point and also offer bespoke ring making service. It saves them a lot of money and I don’t need to stock, I only order and buy once the client is committed and paid the deposit. Its working out well albeit slowly (mainly word of mouth at the moment.) I now want to study more about coloured stones and like to pick up tourmalines, spinel’s and sapphires, to have the odd ring made to sell. Its been really great reading the posts on this forum, and thrilled to know the author of The Secrets of the Gem Trade is also on here, I just downloaded the book a few months ago from amazon! Really interesting read. Hoping to make some good contacts as I feel the coloured gemstone side is a minefield, very difficult to know when to trust you have got a good deal, or that the stone is what you think you’ve purchased! Diamonds is a lot easier, as most of them come already certified! Anyway, I am living in the UK still, but do travel to Malaysia 2-3 times a year. Great to be on this forum, The Gem A course and the GIA courses are great but once you are finished you are pretty much on your own! So I find these kind of forums invaluable! My website is currently set with my jewellery but I am intending to have it redone to reflect what I do now, (which is mainly engagement rings and wedding rings) But do feel free to take a look. x