Gemology Expertise by Pauline Duval, Art Market Student

Pauline took this art market program at IESA arts&culture to complete her gemologist training, after acquiring the fundamentals of the antique and contemporary jewelry market and knowledge of the precious stones market by working for 4 years in a family of antique jewelry dealers. As part of her Professional Master’s in Art Market, she completed her compulsory internship with an expert with solid experience in the field of public auctions, which rounded out her status as an independent appraiser, a specialty she has practiced for several years.

Under the curious gaze of about twenty young people accompanied by their parents, her expertise was broadcast live on a large video screen so that the audience could admire up close the pieces she presented. Pauline Duval unveiled her collection of antique jewelry especially for the occasion, which she kindly brought along to give a fine demonstration of her know-how. This is no small matter given the risks of her profession. She was thus able to show the full range of her knowledge, which requires, in addition to gemology, a good knowledge of art history and of jewelry through the centuries. Some pieces dated from the Second Empire, such as a sublime solitaire ring set with an old-cut diamond. Using the measuring tools she had taken care to bring, including the loupe and a small scale to weigh the jewel, she carried out authenticity tests live:

• Stone analysis: sapphire, emerald, diamond, ruby for the most precious
• Metal analysis: gold, silver, platinum, etc.
• Inspection of the general condition of the jewel: inclusions in the stone, scratches, missing elements in the jewel or missing hallmarks certifying that it is indeed a given precious metal
• Dating and indication of any alterations the jewel may have undergone
• Estimate range based on all of these factors

Her demonstration captivated the audience, as there were many exchanges between Pauline and the public, surely sparking a new vocation in some.