Education

Jet Stars

Introducing the latest winners of the JET Clarity & Success Awards.

Emma Ruki, Chisholm Hunter (August)

I started at Chisholm Hunter in March 2020 – my first introduction to the jewellery industry. I’d been working for six years on cruise ships in entertainment and needed a ‘land job.’ I love selling and thought “Yeah, I more about where and how it came to life and the company’s beginnings. I learnt most about the designers Tiffany has worked with over the years, and still work with, and that it’s not just all about diamonds.

I’m happy that my “comprehensive coverage” of the 4Cs was also praised. I’ve definitely become more aware of this aspect of diamonds since taking JET. Finding out how much the cut affects a diamond means I can now explain it to people buying diamonds. Learning about the science of diamonds has really aided me in educating clients I sit down with in store.

JET has helped me – not just learning about diamonds but things I would never have thought of, like security. As I’m really new to the industry, these are the things I need to know! It’s also helped me be more confident when I’m talking to customers, be it about diamonds, metals or watches. I definitely want to do JET2.

Progressing through the course, I feel confidence in my theoretical knowledge, which also makes clients feel differently about the jewellery they’re buying or leaving for repair. I’m glad to learn more theory and practical things from my new colleagues at Clement White, a 100-year-old family-run jewellery shop, which I’d loved for a long time as a customer. The owners, the benchjeweller and my colleagues are outstanding professionals who’ve guided me in helping to make customers happy. It’s great to see people choosing an engagement ring or perhaps getting their emotionally priceless family jewellery back after repair.

After a silversmithing course and other masterclasses I did alongside the JET – all great experiences – I need time to use it all at home. With more practical knowledge, I’d love to start a JET Diploma, hopefully with my tutor – it would be nice to impress him once more! My plan is to study jewellery design and create jewellery, first for friends and then customers. It sounds ambitious, but JET has shown me that determination, learning and putting your heart in everything can change your life.

Ekaterina Chetkova (September)

Turning 40, full-time mum duties plus lockdown made me feel a bit lost. I wanted changes, challenges and new ways to express creativity. I found that in JET.

I learned about JET from a diploma I noticed in a jewellery shop. I began with JET Essentials in October 2020, knowing nothing about hallmarks or diamond grading. The can do that.” Although we sell watches and diamond jewellery in our store, I always float around the diamonds more than the watches!

During lockdown, I thought taking the JET course was the perfect opportunity to get a bit more knowledge under my belt. It also gave me a goal to work towards.

The part of JET I enjoyed the most was studying the provided books; as I’m dyslexic, putting pictures to facts is really helpful! The most challenging for me was the actual writing – writing and spelling have always held me back. Putting words on paper in a way that isn’t simplistic, I find very difficult.

It’s great the moderator praised my "impressive" final project on Tiffany & Co. I chose that brand because I think, growing up, you hear about that little blue box every girl wants, and I wanted to find out a bit

JET Certificate revealed the amazing world of jewellery that unites chemistry, physics, arts, history, psychology… I’m very grateful to my tutor, Mark Houghton, who was very helpful, supportive and inspiring during this journey.

Every topic and question made me not only learn new things but also challenge myself. The last part of the project – writing about the history of Russian Empire jewellery, Soviet period and modern designers (I love Vladimir Markin’s creations) was a breath-taking experience. It was difficult to stop myself from reading and writing, going deeper and deeper into details, examples, controversial viewpoints and resources. I have a passion for learning and can be quite (maybe too) meticulous.

Being able to use resources not only in English but in Russian and Italian was a great help as was the basic practical experience in gemmology and jewellery making. Sleepless nights, accompanied by ‘80s music, took me back to my time at the university in Saint Petersburg. JET was inspiring, challenging and a joy.