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Ask the Right Questions and Buy Gems with Confidence
Just in time for Tucson, this class will teach you how to walk into any gem show, exhibition, or supplier’s office with confidence! Together, we’ll explore the essential questions to ask, what to expect (and not expect) from suppliers, and the red flags every buyer should know.
You’ll build your own “Gem Buyer’s Cheat Sheet” to define your priorities and criteria, and understand the basics of pricing, value, and market tendencies. With practical checklists and real-world examples, this 3-hour session gives you the tools to communicate clearly, avoid costly mistakes, and start building trustworthy relationships with gem suppliers—whether at Tucson or anywhere else.
Discover the right questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and how to define your buying criteria in this one-day virtual course. Students will leave with their own “Gem Buyer’s Cheat Sheet” to guide their next purchase—whether at Tucson or closer to home.
Christine will cover the following topics in this one-day virtual class:
- How to find and vet suppliers:
- Key questions to ask your supplier
- What to expect from gem suppliers
- Quick reference buying check list + red flags to watch for
- Building a relationship with your supplier
- How to choose your gems and make your own “Gem Buyer’s Cheat Sheet”:
- Define your criteria
- Defining value
- Designing with purpose
- Pricing and gem markets:
- No universal price tag
- Market tendencies and valuation by experts
- Why two 1ct gems may be miles apart in price
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page.
Meet the instructor
Christine is a Quebec based sustainable jeweler, gemologist and designer. She established her modus operandi on a quest for excellence and the importance of innovation. Working from her studio, she produces unique collections as well as highly personalised one-of-a-kind pieces.
Graduating head of her class at Ecole de Joaillerie et des Métaux D’Art de Montreal Christine then underwent an apprenticeship with Robert Ackermann, a Swiss-German master jeweller. This apprenticeship proved to be a career changing experience, allowing her to bring the highest quality of skill to her work.
Christine has been an instructor in jewelery making and gemology for the last 25 years and currently teaches at École de Joaillerie de Montréal. Her main objective is to advance her art and share her knowledge in the sciences of metallurgy and gemology as well as to inform her students about the dire issues of sustainability in the jewelery industry. 2016 was a highlight in her teaching profession as she won the Niche award – Educator of the Year for North America.
After winning a design competition, Christine became the designer and manufacturer of the CALQ (Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec) insignia, an honour awarded to Quebec artists for their talent and cultural contribution.
Most recently, she has won first prize in the 100 Fairmined Challenge in the Best Silver Collection category.
Christine’s designs can be found in galleries and boutiques in Montreal sand Ottawa and have appeared in magazines such as Elle Quebec, Jewellery Business, and Canadian Jeweller.
Christine is a member of the prestigious Gem-A Gemmological Association of Great Britain. She is also a member of the ethical jewelery movement and a member of the Ethical Metalsmiths Association whose mission is to promote responsible jewelery practices through education, connection and action.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is encouraged but not required.