This is the gemologist station at Manoli’s Jewelers in Springfield MO.
Valerie is a graduate gemologist with 30 years of experience.
She received her training via the GIA, Gemological Institute of America, and received her graduate gemologist diploma in 1985.
Getting a GG or graduate gemologist diploma at that time required extensive studies in diamonds, diamond grading, colored stones and in gem identification.
She does appraisals for insurance purposes……..but more importantly, she checks and grades the diamonds that we sell.
We usually sell our loose diamonds with a certificate from the GIA or the AGS, but even with a certificate, we the store, are accountable for what the diamond grade is called. A certificate does not release the store from responsible diamond grading.