We were recently excited to learn that our own Zoe Lewis has scooped the top honours in this year’s Gem-A Diploma in Gemmology, receiving both the Christie’s Prize for Gemmology as the best candidate of the year and the highly coveted Tully Medal. The medal is only awarded when the examining board judges a candidate to be of an exceptional standard and is not given every year. It was presented in a ceremony at the Royal Institution in London by Antiques Roadshow expert John Benjamin.

This isn’t Zoe’s first taste of gemmological glory as she was also awarded the Anderson medal for the best result in her Gemmology foundation examination last year.

Our Managing Director, Ian Cookson says, “We are all so proud of Zoe and her successes; we have six gemmologists at PA Jewellery so are well aware of how much work is involved to achieve a passing grade, never mind such an amazing result”.

The Gem-A diploma is the most respected Gemmological qualification in the world, and this year was sat by hundreds of students from across the globe.  The course covers a wide range of topics concerning the formation, chemistry and properties of gemstones, the processes used to mine, cut and polish them, and techniques to identify natural, synthetic, simulated and treated gems.    

Cookson adds, “Zoe’s achievement fortifies our position of having what I believe to be the highest concentration of relevant jewellery qualifications anywhere in the industry. By encouraging our jewellers to learn as much as possible about the beautiful products that we work with they can offer the best possible service and advice to our customers”.

After two years of studying many people would be ready for a break, but Zoe’s gemmological ambitions don’t end here, and she has already begun studying for the Gem-A Diamond Diploma!