Gemology Instructors

With an enduring commitment to lifelong education Patrick B. Ball, G.G. has dedicated his career to helping others discover their potential. Patrick has served GIA’s patrons in numerous capacities since 1987; On-Campus education, Lab classes, New York education, Alumni, Staff Training and most recently International Operations. In 2001 Patrick received one of GIA’s great honors, the staff of the year award.

In addition to her GIA credentials, Michele holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from Washburn University. Before joining GIA as a Distance Education instructor in 2004, Michele worked for more than nine years as a jewelry sales professional, staff gemologist appraiser, and owned and operated an independent appraisal practice serving retailers and the public. Prior to her jewelry career she taught English at the high school and college levels. With a true passion for education and learning, Michele enjoys "academic volleys" with her students - inquiries that move students from comprehension to successful adaptation and performance in real-life situations.

Michelle has been a GIA Distance Education instructor since 1999 and brings a world of experience to teaching, from within and outside the gem and jewelry industry. Before joining GIA, she owned her own successful jewelry business and worked as a retail sales professional and retail manager. Michelle says her experience demonstrates her passion for working with people and making a difference – along with her passion for jewelry. "Working with students while they journey to become great gemologists" is what Michelle says she loves about being a GIA Distance Education instructor.

Brian’s life-long love of gems and minerals started with a Junior Geologist Science Kit in 1967 and from there mineral collecting became a frequent pastime. After studying Earth Sciences in college, Brian worked at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco sorting and cataloging new collections. Moving to New York City, he worked for the GIA laboratory as a Diamond Grader and later a Diamond Laser Inscription Technician, and at the same time earned a Graduate Gemologist diploma. A member of GIA’s teaching staff since 2002, Brian has taught students at both the New York and Italy campuses, and currently teaches gemology courses in New York. Brian also holds the distinguished Fellowship title from the Gemmological Society of Great Britain.

A self-proclaimed “science freak” who became interested in astronomy, gems, and minerals at age 10, Michael learned lapidary skills in high school and went on to study geology. Michael has over 30 years experience in the gem trade, particularly in sales, management, buying, grading, training, appraisals, and designing. He is also an AGS Certified Gemologist; Assistant Curator for Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Museum in San Diego, CA. and a frequent contributor to Gems & Gemology.  Michael has been a GIA instructor for 14 years and finds great pleasure in teaching and passing on what he’s learned to people from all over the globe.

Catherine worked in jewelry retail for 10 years before earning her Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1995. She joined GIA as a Lab instructor that same year and taught courses across the United States and Canada, and in London and Malaysia. Catherine became a Distance Education instructor in 2003, and enjoys her interaction with students. "I like helping students achieve their educational goals. It gives them the confidence they need to succeed in today's industry."

Fran Greder holds a Bachelor’s in English from Nice University in France. After beginning a career as an educator, she entered the jewelry industry as a sales associate for an independent jewelry store in Wayne, New Jersey. Keen on enhancing her jewelry career, Fran enrolled in GIA’s Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) program to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. She earned her diploma through distance education, while continuing to work full-time. In addition to a G.G., Fran also earned GIA’s Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) diploma, as well as a certificate in Pearls. For the last nine years, Fran has put both her teaching and gemological skills to use as a resident and Lab class instructor in GIA’s New York campus. In addition to teaching, Fran also maintains the New York campus library.

Born and raised in New York City, Rich served in the United States Air Force after which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, from SUNY Plattsburgh, and Graduate Gemologist and AJP diplomas from GIA. A 30 year industry veteran, he served in management capacities for Zale Corp., Golay Buchel New York, and Whitehall Co., before coming to GIA to teach. “What I really love most is that you can really make a difference in someone’s life,” Rich says about teaching. He teaches the Graduate Gemologist program at GIA’s New York campus.

A specialist in both the theory and practice of diamond grading, colored stone grading, and gem identification, Brenda’s expertise comes from a ten-year background in retail and formal gemological training. Her passion for gems and jewelry, her keenness to absorb product knowledge, and her flair for customer relations helped her develop a career in retail that included sales, buying, and preparation work for custom jewelry design and manufacture. Her love of gems and jewelry brought her to GIA to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma, and in 1999 she was hired as an on-campus instructor at GIA Carlsbad.  Brenda has also taught at several campuses around the world.

Sam’s career has spanned over 15 years. Before becoming a Gemology instructor at GIA’s New York campus, Sam worked in the computer science field. He found that the switch to the jewelry industry was smooth and exciting. He enjoys assisting and seeing his students grow and learn, while he shares his passion for beautiful gems and jewelry.

A GIA Lab class instructor since 2005, Larry holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Washington, along with decades of jewelry retail experience both in sales and management. He began his jewelry career at Friedlander and Sons Jeweler, moving up through the ranks to manage three stores in nearly 8 years. He later spent 19 years at Ben Bridge Jewelers, managing two stores, training countless sales associates, and creating sales and training seminars for new associates and existing employees. An energetic participant and board member of many community service groups, Larry enjoys gardening, art, reading, and working at GIA.

Patrick has been working in the jewelry industry since he was 10 years old. From those days of helping in his stepfather’s manufacturing shop, he went on to work selling high-end pieces on Madison Avenue, and was later Project Manager for a company involved in internet custom jewelry sales, sapphire wholesale, and advanced gemological laboratory testing. He brings to his classes his experience in various corners of the industry along with a passion for the Gemology program and a love of the stones that form the backbone of the jewelry world. Patrick teaches the New York on-campus Graduate Gemologist program.

Abba received his Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA in 1994.  Prior to attending GIA, he worked in the jewelry trade for over 30 years as a journeyman silversmith, benchman, caster, buyer, designer, service manger, operation manager, owner, and appraiser. He brings his vast experience and knowledge to the classroom where he guides students through the process of understanding the basics of gemology and how to master gemological equipment. His biggest thrill and ultimate satisfaction are when students begin to grasp gemology - “The light bulb gets turned on and the spark starts to ignite.” 

Nina had been working in the jewelry trade for four years, when she realized having her G.G. would give her the knowledge needed to advance her career. After graduating from GIA,  she put her skills to work at Bergmann’s Fine Jewelry as manager and appraiser for eleven years. She joined GIA as an instructor in 2007, bring with her experience and in-depth knowledge of selling, designing, and buying jewelry.

After earning his Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1994, Ric spent a year and a half working as a lapidary on a $1.5 million dollar gemological art project with American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Cutting Edge Award winners Lew Wackler, Tom Finneran and Thomas Harth Ames. He then went on to facet colored stones for a gemstone wholesaler, and selling them at gem shows. Ric joined GIA in 1997 as a Distance Education instructor, where he specialized in teaching gem identification. He has been teaching Lab classes since 1999.

Kate has worked at the GIA Carlsbad campus since 2005. Before joining GIA, she did bench work and design for a glass artisan for six years. She also has several years experience working with a jewelry parts supplier. Kate’s experience in jewelry retail, wholesale, and design has allowed her to develop a unique understanding of the art of creating pieces of jewelry from start to finish. "Being a part of the joy and pride that students have for themselves once they accomplish their goals" is what she loves about being a GIA instructor.

Ann was inspired to pursue a jewelry career while working for a jeweler in Australia. In 1997, she was working in a suburban Chicago jewelry store when she decided to attend the GIA Carlsbad campus. She graduated with Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler diplomas and received certificates in Jewelry Design, Wax Carving, Hand Engraving, and Advanced Stone Setting. She is also an Accredited Jewelry Professional. She advanced in the retail field to head jeweler before becoming a GIA instructor, presently teaching at GIA’s Carlsbad campus.

A 14-year veteran of the jewelry industry, Shelly’s experience includes retail management, sales, jewelry design and purchasing for a leading jewelry company in the United States. She is a GIA Lab class instructor who thoroughly enjoys teaching the fundamentals of gemology. Her real world business experience is an added bonus. Before becoming a gemologist, she was an accomplished musician and music teacher. She operated her own entertainment company and worked in several European and Asian markets. While in Asia she worked for a Hong Kong jewelry company and specialized in international sales and marketing.   

A New York City native with a degree in Geology, Phil was drawn to the gem collection at the Museum of Natural History and “got hooked” on the beauty of gems. Phil began his career as a diamond grader in the GIA Laboratory, and was part of the team that traveled to the Smithsonian to grade the Hope diamond. Holding the stone in his hands and sensing its incredible history is one of his greatest memories and moments in his career. Phil has taught almost every gemology program and class in almost every country GIA has a campus, and in 1988, received one of GIA’s great honors, the Staff of the Year Award.