Reflections on Teaching a Gems & Jewelry Appraisal Course in China

by Teri Brossmer, ASA MGA

SHANGHAI, CHINA–Theresa Brossmer, ASA, MGA, ARM-GJ and Mary B. Reich, ASA, MGA traveled to Shanghai, China in May 2019 to teach ASA GJ216 (ASA’s 10-day International Gems & Jewelry appraisal training class) to Chinese students at the Shanghai Better Jewelry Institute.

Here’s a blog post by Teri Brossmer, ASA MGA, on their trip:

This was our 4th successful class in the last 2 ½ years. The students comprised diverse facets of the jewelry industry, from gemology students to retailers, manufacturers, dealers, attorneys and other professionals. We keep a map of Southeast Asia in our classroom and asked students to place a sticker to mark where they traveled from.

We have had students from most of the provinces in China, as well as Taiwan, Thailand, and Canada.

The 10-day course covers appraisal methodology and walks students through development as well as report writing. One of the highlights seems to be the day we spend covering a brief history of Western jewelry with plenty of hands-on opportunities. Many of our students understand basic English but do not feel comfortable conversing in English. The textbook and PowerPoint slides have been translated to Mandarin Chinese.

We deliver our lectures in concert with a translator who has become a dear friend. Since our teaching style is based largely on personal experience and practical application, our translator’s Western education and GIA GG diploma are invaluable. The final grade is based on a written examination and presentation of appraisal reports completed in small groups of 2 to 4 students.

Upon arriving in May, Mary and I spent a day working at the ASA China booth set up by our host at the Shanghai Jewelry Show. We talked with potential future students and posed for lots of photos. Beyond serving as instructors for ASA GJ216, we also serve as ambassadors for ASA as we travel throughout the country where we are welcomed warmly and treated royally.

During the May trip we visited Hong Kong and Shenzhen, major jewelry cities where our host is working to hold ASA GJ216 classes in the future.

In our opinion, China is a huge opportunity for ASA-GJ, thanks to seeds planted over 20 years ago by Nancy Stacy and Larry Phillips.

SEE MORE PHOTOS by clicking here.