EGL USA & National Jeweler sponsor 5 FGA scholarships

NEW YORK, January 28 - EGL USA gemological laboratory and National Jeweler magazine announced today that they are co-sponsoring an annual scholarship fund for five FGA Diplomas from The Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Four of the scholarships will be awarded to individuals working within the industry; a fifth will go to a student studying gemology at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

The Gemmological Association, located in London, is the oldest association in the world devoted to the study of gemology. The FGA, which stands for Fellow of the Gemmological Association, is considered to be the highest scholarship degree in the gemological world, according to Kathryn Bonanno Patrizzi, FGA, whose father Antonio Bonanno was responsible for advancing the British course in the U.S. Only 213 Americans currently hold that degree, according to Ian Mercer, Director of Education at the Gemmological Association.

The first annual scholarships, to be called the "2002 American FGA Scholarship Awards sponsored by EGL USA and National Jeweler," are for a correspondence course, which typically lasts two years and culminates in an intensive two-day test, according to Mark Gershburg, EGL USA's Director. "As a leading U.S. gemological lab, we have a responsibility to our industry to encourage and support the development of new talent," said Mr. Gershburg. "We chose FIT because of its focus on fine jewelry and its strategic location in the most important jewelry center in the U.S.

"EGL USA's New York headquarters is also a tutoring center for gemological students working towards their FGA diploma.

According to Whitney Sielaff, publisher of National Jeweler, "The five scholarships will be awarded during the 2002 JA New York Summer Show in July." Applications are available through EGL USA (212-730-7380, Ext. 240); at the EGL USA and National Jeweler booths at major jewelry shows; and from Michael Coan, Acting Chair, Jewelry Design Department at FIT (212- 217-8872).

The deadline for applications is May 1, 2002.

Scholarship recipients will be determined by an Advisory Board comprised of prominent industry experts, including Mark Gershburg; Whitney Sielaff; Michael Coan; George E. Harlow, Curator of Minerals and Gems, American Museum of Natural History; Kathryn Bonanno Patrizzi, FGA, gem dealer and Antiquorum consultant; and Richard W. Hughes, FGA, webmaster for Palagems.com.