My Journey into Gemstones

Every gemstone has a story, but not every story is true.

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I learned that lesson the hard way when I was sold a fake ruby on what should have been a dream holiday. What I believed to be a valuable Burmese ruby turned out to be nothing more than a piece of glass. The discovery left me feeling embarrassed, frustrated and betrayed. More importantly, it made me realise just how vulnerable even enthusiastic and well-informed buyers can be when navigating the gemstone market.

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That single purchase changed the course of my life.​ But my story began long before gemstones entered the picture.

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Before founding Gemstone Detective, I spent many years working in London’s corporate world as a Personal Assistant to board-level CEOs at organisations including KPMG, Commerzbank and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The experience taught me the value of precision, attention to detail, professionalism and trust, qualities that continue to shape my work today.

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Entrepreneurship soon followed. In 2002, I founded The SaVVy Club, an innovative social events business that gained national recognition and attracted the attention of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire.

Along the way, I met remarkable entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders who encouraged me to think bigger, take calculated risks and pursue opportunities that felt meaningful.

Yet it was that fake ruby that ultimately revealed my true calling.

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Determined never to be misled again, I decided that self-study was no longer enough. At the age of 47, I put my successful wedding photography business on hold and enrolled full-time at the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), one of the world’s most respected gemmological institutions.

Returning to the classroom after years in business was both challenging and humbling. Many of my fellow students were younger and already working within the trade, but I was driven by a clear purpose. I wasn’t looking for a qualification alone; I wanted a genuine understanding of gemstones and the industry behind them.

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Seven months later, I graduated with far more than technical knowledge. I had found a new direction.

During my studies, I attended a presentation by world-renowned field gemmologist Vincent Pardieu. As he spoke about travelling to remote mining regions, working alongside miners and researching gemstones at their source, something clicked. I realised that my passion did not lie behind a retail counter or in a laboratory. I wanted to understand gemstones where their stories begin.

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At the end of his presentation, I introduced myself and boldly told him that I wanted to travel with him.

Not long afterwards, that opportunity became a reality.

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Driven by a desire to learn directly from the source, I began travelling extensively through gemstone-producing regions around the world. I visited mines, met miners, traders and cutters, and witnessed first-hand the complex journeys gemstones take before reaching the jewellery market.

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My husband and I re-mortgaged our home to fund the adventure. It was a significant risk, but one that transformed my understanding of gemstones forever.

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Those travels led to the creation of the award-winning Gemstone Detective book series, documenting gemstone-producing regions and helping consumers make more informed purchasing decisions. What began as a personal mission to understand gemstones evolved into a global research project spanning multiple countries, cultures and mining communities.

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The knowledge gained through those journeys continues to shape every aspect of my work today.

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Over the years, Gemstone Detective has received industry recognition, including the LUXLife Perfect Gift Award for Luxury Personalised Gemstone Gift of the Year and the LUXLife Excellence Award 2026 for outstanding service in high-value gemstones.

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Today, I combine professional gemmological training with first-hand field experience to help clients navigate significant gemstone purchases with greater confidence. Whether supporting a sourcing project, providing independent guidance or helping clients better understand the complexities of the gemstone market, my role is rooted in transparency, integrity and informed decision-making.

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The experiences that shaped this journey taught me that expertise is earned through curiosity, resilience and a willingness to keep learning. They also reinforced something I believe deeply: trust matters.

I am not extraordinary. I’m simply someone who turned a costly mistake into a lifelong mission.

At 47, I returned to the classroom.

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At 48, I began travelling the world in pursuit of gemstone knowledge. And every step since has reinforced my commitment to helping others make confident, informed decisions when purchasing gemstones.

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If my story demonstrates anything, it’s that it’s never too late to change direction, pursue a passion or transform a setback into something meaningful.