Gemmological Association of Great Britain

The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, also known as Gem-A, is an international gemmology education and qualifications body based in the United Kingdom.

Gem-A dates back to 1908 when a gemmological committee was established by The National Association of Goldsmiths. The aim of the committee was how to best provide the United Kingdom jewellery trade with recognised gemmology qualifications.

The recent development of synthetic rubies, synthetic sapphires and cultured pearls had made formal education essential. This committee matured into the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a Branch of the NAG, and eventually became a wholly independent organisation. Now Gem-A is a registered United Kingdom-based charity and its gemmology and diamond courses are taught in some 25 countries worldwide.

One of the most common symbols used to denote the Association, the Coat of Arms is based upon a design submitted by H. Ellis Tomlinson on behalf of the Association in 1966. Mr Tomlinson, who was also responsible for the design of the Arms of the National Association of Goldsmiths a few years prior, combined mediaeval heraldry with colours, language and ornament to create what is now a well-known symbol denoting the Association. It was not until 1967, when the Association received the official grant of arms from the King of Arms under royal authority, that it became the logos prentice of the Association and all its related activities.

The Gem-A Coat of Arms itself is composed of a Shield, Crest and Motto.

The Shield is the focal part of the Coat of Arms. In its centre is a gold jewelled book representing the study of gemmology. Above this is a rose-cut diamond within a circle, suggesting the examination of gems under magnification. To each side are octahedral diamond crystals, indicating gems as found, and below is a pearl-set ring representing gem-set jewellery.

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