Masterclasses
Private workshops for collectors, teams, and groups. Microscope time, lab-report literacy, and the kind of hands-on evaluation that turns a buyer into a reader of stones.
Our masterclasses are designed for anyone who wishes to understand gemstones and diamonds beyond their surface beauty. Over the course of the session, you will explore the scientific principles that determine quality, learn to read and interpret laboratory reports with confidence, and discover the key factors to consider—and the pitfalls to avoid—when making a purchase. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned collector, or simply curious, you will leave with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the world of fine gems with assurance
Masterclasses are not lectures. They are working sessions at the table, with real stones, real reports, and real microscopes. We work through the questions a collector or enthusiast actually needs to answer: what is the difference between a heated or unheated ruby? How does a lab report comments-field phrase translate into the stone you are about to buy? Why do two laboratories sometimes disagree? Sessions are designed for groups of ten to twenty, lasting a few hours or a half a day, held in a private location of choice depending on the group size.
What's included
Custom curriculum
A planning call with the host shapes the curriculum around who is attending, what they already know, and what they want to walk away with.
Hands-on microscope
Real stones selected to illustrate specific teaching points. Attendees handle stones under supervision, we believe in the importance of feeling and touching the stone.
Lab-report reading
Guided reading of two or three real lab reports of varying complexity — what each field is signalling, what the comments are really saying.
Complimentary Consultation
We also include a complimentary consultation at the end of the session.
From serious collector to enthusiast, a workshop where everyone can benefit from.
The process
Four stages, typically one to two hours
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01
Planning call
A call or meeting surfaces who is attending, their existing technical level, the host's specific objectives, the venue, and the date.
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02
Curation
One to two weeks of preparation — selecting stones, lab reports for the reading exercise, and curating the relevant content for the session.
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03
Session
Generally our sessions are one to two hours; half-day sessions only when requested, with breaks if needed. Hands on microscope session and complimentary consultation at the end.
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04
Complimentary Consultation
We also include a complimentary consultation at the end of the session. Whether you are searching for the perfect engagement ring, exploring a new acquisition, or considering an update to your everyday collection, our experts are here to answer your questions and offer personalised guidance—with no pressure, just honest advice.
Who this is for
Masterclasses are for groups that have a reason to learn together: small collector circles wanting to upgrade their collective fluency, family-office investment teams considering or actively running a coloured-stone allocation, staff training for jewelers selling into the high-end market, and preview-event programming for auction-house VIP rosters. We do not run sessions for groups whose primary takeaway is intended to be a sales technique rather than a buyer's literacy.
Frequently asked
What is the maximum group size?
Twelve attendees. Beyond that, the microscope work becomes thin and the conversation harder to manage. For larger groups, we recommend splitting into two sessions on consecutive days, or running a lecture-format introduction as a precursor.
Can you run a virtual session?
Partially. We can run the framework conversation, the lab-report reading, and the question-driven closing virtually. We cannot run the microscope work virtually with any educational depth — the resolution and interaction are inadequate. About 20% of our enquiries result in a virtual-only engagement; the rest wait for an in-person date.
Can attendees bring their own stones?
Yes. We strongly encourage it when the brief makes sense. Bringing a stone the attendee owns or is considering is the single best way to anchor the abstract framework into something concrete. We do not provide grading or formal assessment during the session, but we will read the stone alongside the attendee.