The jewellery trade faces many challenges. Not least among these is the need to train a new generation of highly skilled workers. How the requisite training can be delivered has been the subject of extensive discussions over a long period. However the hard work has finally born fruit. A training scheme has now been created.

L-R Charlotte Hodgkinson and Alan Hodgkinson with Anu Manchanda, Senior Gemmologist[/caption] Alan has an international reputation as a gemmology lecturer. He gained a distinction in the gemmology exams in 1961 and started teaching gemmology in 1969. He developed the first Uk residential courses in practical gemmology and has widely promoted his development of Visual Optics.  Alan has been awarded many honours including lifetime awards from the AGTA of America, the American Gem Trad…

  L:R Michael Allchin with Host, Gisela Stewart MP[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3610" align="alignleft" width="252"] L:R Marion Wilson, Marketing Director with Michael Allchin, Chief Executive & Assay Master (Both The Birmingham Assay Office)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3615" align="alignleft" width="252"] L-R: Krys Zalewska (The Allied Trade Federation), Geoff Field (Sutton Tools), Gay Penfold (JIIC)[/caption] A toast to the BJA... and what a way to do it! Cham…