If you’re ever feeling jaded about your work in the jewelry industry, spend five minutes with Erica Silverglide (aka @GemologyGeek), or head over to her Instagram, and her unbridled enthusiasm for all things gems and fine jewelry will turn that frown upside down. For real.
After getting a BFA in jewelry design from Savannah College of Art & Design, Silverglide received her GG degree from GIA in New York in 2012. She’s held positions at Greenwich St. Jewelers, David Yurman, and Judith Ripka. All these nifty credentials qualify her to hold forth on her chosen topic—but it’s her infectious excitement and fun-loving approach to a sometimes-dry subject matter that are making her a rising social media star.
She launched her alter ego/social media brand Gemology Geek less than a year ago, using each Instagram post to educate her followers about the wonders of say, indicolite tourmalines, or to explore a possible connection between Disney’s Snow White and “German diamonds” said to have been caused by an asteroid that landed somewhere in Bavaria millions of years ago (a three-part investigation that’s definitely worth a read).
Silverglide will be taking over the AGS young title holders’ Instagram today and tomorrow, chronicling her adventures in Tucson, where she’ll be covering the gem shows both as a blogger and a gem consultant who can connect designers with the right stone dealers.
Speaking of, we asked Silverglide to share her “Tucson Top 5” exclusively with JCK readers. Below, her top choices—if gem-hunting is on your agenda over the next few days, this list is a great place to start.
Tucson Top 5
Nomad’s
GJX, Booth 610 and Pueblo Gem Show, Booth R121
via @gemsbynomads
“I met this team of gem lovers and they specialize in high-grade, natural, nontreated colored gemstones and have insanely amazing gem displays.”
Khalid Minerals
JCK, Booth 618
via Khalid Minerals
“I have not met these folks yet but in their JCK exhibitor list description, it says they specialize in kunzite. Let’s just say I’m intrigued.”
Mayer & Watt
AGTA, Booth 706
via @mayerandwatt
“This family-run business is awesome. They specialize in the unique and the beautiful, from bicolor tourmalines that will blow your mind to the most incredible trapiche sapphires.”
Kimberly Collins Gems
AGTA, Booth 704
“Kim knows her stuff. Her gems are brilliant and beautiful, and as a woman myself I love to support other women in a very male-driven industry.”
Hopkins Opal
AGTA, Booth 1506, and Pueblo Gem Show, Booth CP-61
via @hopkinsopal
“Hopkins’ Opal is considered one of the leading Lightning Ridge black opal miners and cutters. Their stones are incredible, not just for their color, but also their display of fiery patterns.”
(Top image: Assortment of gems, via @columbiagemhouse)
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