Ann Bocchi started a blog a few months ago to write about her passion - jewelry. Check out her wonderful jewelry blog here. She's agreed to do a short interview with us.

Hi Ann, thanks much for this talk with us. Our readers should know you are in the process of obtaining a graduate gemologist certification. Can you tell us about this schooling? Is this like a graduate degree at university? What kind of training is required to become a certified gemologist?

Right now I am actually in the process of obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from The University of Nevada, Reno. After my graduation in December I plan to apply to the gemologist program sometime in either January or February. I will obtain my degree from The Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The gemologist program is very exciting! Those wishing to pursue a career in jewelry will learn the grading and identification skills to become a buyer, appraiser, retailer, and senior professional across the entire gem and jewelry world. Through a series of gem labs and classes, one will be able to speak the language of jewelry throughout the industry! What is great about this program is that it can be done online or at a physical GIA location. The training required to become a gemologist is achieved through their laboratory classes—learning how to use the equipment including the microscope, spectroscope, learning how to identify different gemstones, learning how to detect synthetics, and learning the latest stone treatments. The gemologist certification program lasts around 6 months. I cannot wait to start!