Good Morning POU!
Searching all corners of the internet and found only 2….yes…only 2 African Americans that have received the top certification in Gemology by the Gemological Institute of American in New York. How is it that we WEAR so much jewelry, but really know nothing (or very little) about what we’re wearing?
Well, today’s featuree found her way into the field and has worked for some of the most prestigious auction houses in the country as well as the long running PBS television show, The Antiques Roadshow.
Want an appraisal of your diamond engagement ring?
Want to know exactly what gems are in grandma’s antique brooch?
Lea Koonce Ogundiran can tell you.
With 11 years of experience, Ogundiran is one of the few African American graduate gemologists in the country.
“Gemology is the study and identification and classification of gemstones,” she explains. “When you are a graduate gemologist, you learn how to identify diamonds. You also learn how to grade them. You learn all of the gemstones that usually are commonly found in jewelry.”
The Cleveland native says she was always interested in rocks and gems as a child and liked antiques and jewelry but was not exactly sure what she could do with those interests. It was while Ogundiran was a student at Boston University that a friend told her he was going to study at The Gemological Institute of America that her career in the field began.
After earning her G.G. diploma, the gem industry’s highest professional credential, she worked for such prestigious companies as Christie’s Auction House, Harry Winston, and Tiffany & Co. before relocating to Charlotte a year ago.
Lea Koonce Ogundiran is an estate buyer, jewelry consultant, and graduate gemologist with Perry’s Fine Antique and Estate Jewelry at South Park in Charlotte, NC. She is an expert in jewelry appraisals and gemstone identification, with a very strong interest in jewelry history. She has been in the jewelry business for more than 15 years, working with ultra luxury jewelry firms.
In September of 1998, Lea started her career in the Jewelry department of the international auction firm Christie’s Inc., as a cataloguer. In March 2001, she became an associate specialist and assistant vice president in the company. In this capacity, her responsibilities involved appraising and collecting jewelry for auction, drafting insurance and estate tax appraisals, preparing condition reports for jewelry, business development, lecturing, auctioneering at charity events, and organizing jewelry exhibitions.
Prior to moving to Charlotte with her family, she was an operations manager and a sales executive with the Harry Winston in Bal Harbour, Florida. She also worked with Tiffany & Co. in Coral Gables, Florida.
Recent Appraisals by Lea
Massoni Jeweled Desk Object
Value: $5000
Diamond Ring, circa 1925
Value $12,000
Ogundiran says she was “pleasantly surprised” to find her current position as a gemologist with Perry’s. When she arrived their massive collection allowed her to sharpen her skills constantly. Perry’s, likewise, was happy to find her.
“She’s a gem,” says Ernest Perry, owner and president of Perry’s. “She’s just been a terrific asset.”
Lea earned both Diamond and Colored Stone certificates and a Graduate Gemologist diploma. She is a licensed auctioneer in the state of North Carolina and also holds a bachelors of arts in biology with a specialization in marine science from Boston University. She’s toured in 4 seasons with The Antiques Roadshow on PBS and will tour in 2016.
As a gemologist, Ogundiran sees a lot of rare and interesting pieces. What she “hardly ever” sees, however, are African Americans in her profession.
“In my career, I think maybe I’ve come across one other African American gemologist,” she states. “I think that people are not aware it’s a viable career . . . “I think that smaller sub-specialties are just not known to us. There are other things that you can do other than sell (jewelry), and think that’s just a matter of exposure.”