L'EIG Monaco draws on the expertise of an internationally recognised Scientific and Educational Council.
Tasked with advising the Studies department, most members of the Scientific and Pedagogical Council are professors within the EIG and assist all learners, whether they are on à la carte courses, intensive placements, private or group tuition, or in the Bachelor cycle.
The EIG attaches fundamental importance to fostering connections between learners, researchers, and professionals in the fields of gemmology, jewellery, and Fine Jewellery. The members of the Scientific and Pedagogical Council strengthen the EIG's network of future gemmologists.
Co-author with Professor Jean-Claude Boulliard of the 'Precious Stones Guide', Charlotte Herman leads a double life daily, with two passions and two languages. After growing up in Los Angeles in the film industry, she returned to France and set up an audiovisual company. But Charlotte also loves minerals.
and gemstones and decides to divide her life between audiovisual production, Paris – Los Angeles shuttles, and gemmological research. A graduate of FEEG in 2012 and accredited by the GIA in 2013, it was therefore quite naturally that Claude Vivier Le Got asked her in 2014 to produce a bilingual French-English guide to precious stones under the scientific direction of Professor Jean Claude Boulliard. For EIG Monaco, Charlotte Herman will share her dual culture and her expert, bilingual knowledge of gemstone terminology and scientific data.
Professor Jean-Claude Boulliard, a lecturer at Sorbonne Université, began his scientific career at the CNRS, within the Solid State Physics Laboratory of the École normale supérieure. He then joined the Mineralogy-Crystallography laboratory, which houses the UPMC mineral collection, one of the finest in the world. His training as a crystallographer and his passion for minerals led him to manage this collection from 1998 onwards. He is the author of several books on crystal synthesis, twinning, gold in France, and the UPMC collection, as well as the Guide to Gemstones. Characterised by a great sense of empathy, Jean-Claude Boulliard enjoys sharing his knowledge and discoveries. He advises aspiring gemologists on building a collection and gives them an advance preview of international research findings on gems and minerals, as well as his discoveries at international mineral shows such as Tucson.
Armed with an unshakeable smile, Anne Quédillac has trained many gemmologists and is a formidable opponent in gemmology tournaments. She defines herself as a conduit for transmitting gemmological knowledge. A touch mischievous, she doesn't hesitate to play with words, founding
Gemstones Oh So Lovely. Anne Quédillac aims to make the world of gemstones and their identification accessible and is passionate about teaching. She works as an expert for insurance companies. Anne Quédillac holds a FEEG diploma and is a qualified lecturer for the FEEG.
As Deputy President of the Union de la Bijouterie-Horlogerie (the national professional organisation representing jewellers and watchmakers) for 10 years, Sandrine has a deep understanding of the jewellery and watchmaking market both nationally and internationally. She has developed expertise in the geopolitics of luxury, which she teaches at the University of Paris-Dauphine, specifically concerning precious stones and particularly diamonds. Sandrine also provides input on CSR policies related to the sourcing and extraction of precious stones and metals implemented by major global luxury groups and their brands. For EIG Monaco, Sandrine Marcot will share insights on these topics to enhance learners' knowledge of precious stones and the environmental and geopolitical challenges they entail.
Within Christie's Paris Jewellery Department, Émilie, a young and vibrant gemologist with a background in customs law, specialises in appraising stones and jewellery, and writing auction catalogues. Her enthusiasm for her field is evident in her desire to take her students on a journey around the world, exposing them to the various customs and tax regulations in major jewellery capitals. From Hong Kong to Geneva, and passing through Paris, Monaco, and London, she offers them a practical and immersive experience, enabling them to understand the subtleties and demands of the ever-evolving international gemstone trade. Émilie holds a Master's degree in Tax Law and a Bachelor's degree in Art History from La Sorbonne, as well as the Gem-A Diploma from London and an International Diamond Grading System™ certificate from the GIA.
Sarah's passion for jewellery began at a very young age. After obtaining a CAP in Jewellery in Nice, followed by a Brevet des Métiers d’Art in Jewellery in Lyon, she went on to earn diplomas from EIG Monaco and the FEEG, thus joining the prestigious circle of European Gemmologists. Passionate about the history of jewellery art, she became a professor in this discipline at EIG and professionally specialised in quality control within the Cartier workshops. Recruited by a major jewellery manufacturer in Geneva as Head of Quality, she worked with the biggest names on Place Vendôme, guaranteeing them high quality standards, and temporarily left her Côte d’Azur… before returning to the great delight of EIG students! This art history and jewellery enthusiast, a quality control professional, puts her expertise at the service of Monaco's students.
It's a beautiful house, nestled on Rue de Provence; you arrive on foot, no need to knock, Annabelle is here, surrounded by sparkle… After a double Master's in Law and Art History, which was meant to lead her to the auctioneer's gavel, Annabelle became enthusiastic about gemstones, obtained her Gemologist diploma, and launched herself into the profession of jewellery expert. An extraordinary destiny and will led her to practise her jewellery expertise at auctions and advise professionals from major jewellery houses. Indeed, from New York to Monaco, and via Wuhan, with a loupe around her neck and the Rapaport Guide at her fingertips, gifted with infinite kindness, Annabelle Cukierman passes on her passion and expert knowledge of the influence of geopolitics on the price of diamonds and high-end jewellery sales.
Italian actress, Caterina is also a gemologist who founded her own brand, Caterina Murino Jewellery, in 2015. Deeply attached to her native island, Sardinia, she has invested herself in the preservation of Sardinian craftsmanship, which has collapsed from 400 artisans to 20 in less than a generation. To prevent this heritage of millennia-old origins from disappearing, Caterina has decided to dedicate her creations to Sardinian filigree and legends. Caterina has lent her image to international Haute Joaillerie houses including DeGrisogono, Chaumet, Victoria Casal, Mauboussin, Omega, Vhernier, Buccellati, Cartier, Fred, Pasquale Bruni, Pomellato, and has also collaborated as a journalist for Dreams and L’Express magazines. Passionate about jewellery creation, she comes to share her artistic approach with the students of EIG Monaco.
Christian Vion's sharp eye puts fakes and copies to the test. « To know, to work, to study, to read and re-read, always to check so that the share of chance becomes infinitesimal, or even non-existent »Armed with his library of 2500 works and a database of over 100,000 auction results, Christian Vion is an expert in jewellery and watchmaking. After more than 15 years at the Crédit Municipal and the Domaines, he is a sought-after and respected expert at auctions to which he dedicates himself entirely. Vice-president of the European Alliance of Experts, he is in charge of jewellery and watchmaking expertise at Drouot Estimations. Christian Vion, CEO of Vendôme Expertise, loves perfection and the exceptional.
For over thirty years, Alexandre has worked in the field of gemmology. His beginnings as a lapidary were followed by a progression towards expertise. He served as a laboratory expert for over twenty years. Subsequently, he turned to teaching in several institutions while maintaining his commitment as an expert. He brings his experience to the Prefecture of Police of Paris and to the Grand Houses of Place Vendôme. Today, he enjoys sharing his experience and know-how. He is developing laboratory expertise courses for the EIG Monaco.
A Doctor of Philosophy and a professor with Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR), Jean-Louis Bischoff's work focuses on pop culture, trends, emerging behaviours, creation, and new faces of management. He is the director of the FEDE doctoral school, a professor at Paris Esmod in the Luxury Management Master's program, as well as at the Haute École de Joaillerie of UFBJOP, commonly known to the profession as the school on Rue du Louvre. He is also a professor at Créapole. For EIGMonaco, Professor Jean Louis Bischoff will lead online courses on the symbolic significance of gemstone colours, as well as trends and emerging behaviours in Luxury. He oversees editorial work and supports students wishing to conduct research on jewellery creation.
After graduating from business school, Guillaume entered the world of large-scale retail, where he spent 15 years. However, his passion for gemmology led him to a new life illuminated by the crystalline beauty of gemstones. Having founded his gemstone trading and appraisal company, he acquired the jewellery workshop «Les Alchimistes» in Aix-en-Provence, where he established a manufacturing studio combining 3D design, setting, and traditional jewellery making. A certified expert gemmologist and a graduate of the HRD in Antwerp for diamond grading, Guillaume, who enjoys learning and teaching, will complete an experimental report for the DUG in Nantes this year. Known for his willingness to share, his infectious good humour, and his legendary kindness, he naturally joined the scientific and educational board in Monaco. A man of many talents, Guillaume is also an accredited judicial expert at the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence.
Sara began her university journey with a Master's degree in Law and a diploma in Art History, which led her to Drouot to become an auctioneer. She joined a Parisian firm and became an auctioneer intern. Originally from Nice, she decided to return to the Côte d'Azur and enrolled at EIG Monaco, from which she graduated with honours, and then became a European Gemmologist with the FEEG. But Sara didn't stop there and went on to study at the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie on Rue du Louvre and then the École Provençale de la Joaillerie to become a craft jeweller. Founder of Gemmazur, creator of jewellery lines, Sara shares her expert knowledge of the geographical origin of gemstones with students at EIG, her alma mater. They will then have the opportunity to join the Monaco Alumni network alongside her, armed with their Bachelor's degree in Jeweller-Gemmologist.
A trained and internationally awarded jeweller, Benoît worked as a jeweller for prestigious workshops on Place Vendôme, then for Maison Chopard in St Barth for 6 years. Before returning to France, he took a detour to the GIA in the United States to perfect his technical knowledge in gemmology and obtain his gemmologist diploma. Following this experience with an elite clientele, this jeweller-gemmologist returned to Europe, specialised in trading activities and created Gem Selection in 2015. An indefatigable globetrotter, passionate about field gemmology and interculturality, he founded Discovery Gems and organises trips that combine field experience, rare knowledge of local networks, and his expertise in gemstones. For Monaco, Benoît takes small groups of amateurs or professionals around the world to discover gem-bearing sites, adding a touch of refinement and luxury.
Nathalie Abbou Vidal, passionate about the world of jewellery, works alongside her husband, Gil Vidal, a jeweller and goldsmith with over 30 years of experience. A qualified gemmologist and expert in public sales, Nathalie complements her expertise in gem creation and appraisal with a specialisation in the legal environment of appraisals, auction regulations, and the insurance of valuable items. A professor of appraisal at the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie and the French Gemmology Laboratory, Nathalie is also a court-appointed expert at the Court of Appeal in Montpellier. She passionately and enthusiastically passes on her skills to future jeweller-gemmologists at EIG Monaco, enabling them to work with complete confidence with various auction houses, jewellery departments, and to carry out appraisals for insurance claims, inheritances, partitions, and donations.
A graduate of the École du Louvre and a doctor in 19th-century history, Catherine is a professor. She teaches the history of adornment and shares her passion for the arts. Catherine enjoys public speaking, and her voice does not leave EIG Monaco students indifferent during her video courses. They discover with delight that Catherine is also a lyrical artist, a former alto singer with the Orchestre de Paris choir, and she still gives numerous recitals. Catherine's transmission of history and her taste for research foster the development of critical thinking in students, who become professionals seasoned in the principle of verifying and checking sources.
A watchmaking expert and member of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Academy, Patrick enjoys reading the passage of time through the dials that adorn men's and women's wrists. His enthusiasm is infectious when he speaks of mechanical precision, the beautiful finishing of a case, a strap, and the hands of watches from high-quality manufacturers. A former commercial director for haute horlogerie houses, he shares his expert knowledge of timepieces and trains in sales techniques within the luxury sector. An accessory that is primarily masculine, watchmaking is a strong indicator of the healthy economic state of the luxury market, a subject that Patrick shares with passion with his students in Monaco.
Monégasque, Bruno Lavagna is an international luxury expert (art métiers, yachting, fashion and accessories, perfumes and cosmetics, hotels and restaurants, gastronomy, watchmaking and jewellery...) and a luxury geostrategy consultant. A graduate of ESCP Europe, and founder-director of Be.Exclusive, he is an enthusiastic and dynamic professor, perfectly trilingual in French, English, and Italian, and lectures in various luxury Masters programmes across Europe, particularly in his home city of Monaco at EIG Monaco and IUM, as well as in Switzerland at the Lausanne Hospitality Business School and Glion, in France at IFM, Ecole Ducasse, and Essec Business School, and in Italy at Bocconi Milan. He is also an expert in the framework of the Economic, cultural, sporting, environmental, and humanitarian diplomacy, in particular with the embassies of the Principality of Monaco (Unesco, Europe, Russia, United States, China, India, Japan, Australia...).
Based in Monaco, Bettina began her journalism career in 2001 as editor-in-chief for a Swiss press group, where she headed up the section dedicated to high watchmaking and luxury watches. Coming from a generation that wore Japanese quartz watches in the 80s and having witnessed the renaissance of the Swiss watch industry with Swatch watches, she never imagined she would develop such a passion for these objects! «I couldn't believe these complex little mechanisms would captivate me so much over the years.» Nor did she think that watches would lead her to endless marathons at Baselworld (until its end in 2019) or to intense days at the SIHH (now Watches and Wonders), Time to Watches, and Geneva Watch Days. Because luxury is her preferred world and sharing is a passion, Bettina Fröhlich also teaches in internationally renowned schools to share her experience.
Passionate about knowledge transfer, Christine Masseron offers a triple background to students in Monaco. She has a scientific background with a Doctorate in Pharmacy, a Communications background with a diploma from CELSA, and a Gemology background with a diploma as an Expert Gemologist. Having become a recognised historian of jewellery art, she decided to leave the pharmaceutical sector in 2013 to dedicate herself fully to her passion: teaching the history of jewellery and gems, and contemporary creative trends.
A lover of words and passionate about jewellery, Anne Desmarest de Jotemps has created 3 podcasts that have gained immediate support from both listeners and professionals, offering a comprehensive range of formats and topics on jewellery. "Il était une fois le bijou" (Once Upon a Time, the Jewel) is the thematic jewellery podcast where, in a few episodes, listeners can hear the fundamentals of a subject: "Diamant forever" (Diamond Forever), "les joailliers du rap" (the jewellers of rap), etc. "Le bijou comme un bisou" (The Jewel Like a Kiss) is the podcast of big and small stories and current affairs in jewellery. Finally, "Brillante" (Brilliant) is the podcast for women in jewellery. Her competence and distinctiveness lie in her mastery of content, her educational and disruptive approach, and a voice recognised by the entire profession. Also a Professor at the Haute Ecole de Joaillerie, to share her passion for podcasts, she encourages students at Eig Monaco to set their words and facet their sentences like jewels.
After a 25-year professional career in Consulting and Media, in management positions, Delphine Beretta has given herself a second life with stones. She obtained her Gemmology diploma, which strengthened her absolute passion for coloured gemstones in particular, and decided to create her own jewellery brand, Baladine Joaillerie. She has a taste for passing on knowledge and shares her passion for Gemmology and media with students at the Monegasque school. Delphine embodies a modern concept of the Jeweller Gemmologist profession and is passionately involved in students' dissertation work.
Founder of In Orbem- Circular Jewellery, a graduate gemologist-expert and from the French Fashion Institute, former legal director of the Balmain Group and lawyer at the Paris Bar, Laurie Avril embodies the spirit of global citizenship that respects the planet we pass on to our children. Passionate about jewellery, which she wears, collects, and transforms according to her moods and the seasons, she comes to share her commitment to implementing the virtuous circle of recycling in jewellery in order to contribute to the necessary awareness for preserving the Earth. Between a passion for natural gemstones and a passion for respecting the planet, Laurie allows students during her course The Diamond in all its states to understand the transitions that disrupt this highly sought-after mineral of carbon, with ethics and respect for the law.
«Faced with the artistic and aesthetic creation of ornamentation, there is this invisible hand, this mood, this intuition that guides and carries me,» says Pierre-Marie Bernard, expert- Jeweller. After gaining his initial experience with major jewellery houses on Place Vendôme, he established his own workshop, which has since become an internationally recognised jewellery house. He is one of the rare heirs to the artisanal jewellery heritage who enjoys passing on his passion. A professor at the Haute École de Joaillerie and decorated Chevalier des Palmes Académiques, he is enthusiastically committed to defending artisanal jewellery crafts.
From the flamboyant pink of Ceylon spinels to the deep green of Ural demantoids, Arthur Kleim makes coloured stones his territory of expertise. A graduate of EIG Monaco, he specialises in sapphires and hones his gem-cutting skills in Madagascar, revealing the beauty of a rough gem under the lapidary's grinding wheel. This Nice native has chosen the path of field gemologists: those who go directly to the source, where the earth shapes gems and miners extract them. Passionate about inclusions that signify a gem's authenticity – like the famous «horsetail» in Russian demantoids – Arthur embodies a new generation of gemologists for whom each stone tells both a geological and human story. A professor at EIG Monaco, his alma mater, he accompanies students to Sri Lanka, the mythical land of sapphires, to pass on what no book can teach: observation, instinct, and the art of negotiation, with their feet in the dust of the mines.
Internationally recognised gemmologist expert, Marine Bouvier By profession, she is a trainer and speaker, driven by a passion for sharing her knowledge in both scientific and artistic fields. A top graduate of EIG Monaco, FEEG, and the DUG in Nantes specialising in laboratory gemmology, she co-founded the association Gemmologie & Francophonie and trained in judicial expertise procedures. This enthusiast offers a poetic interpretation of gemstones through photomicrography, a rare discipline at the intersection of science and art. Her photographs and paintings reveal the hidden beauty within gemstones, with inclusions becoming her true signature. Based in Nice, it is only natural that Marine returns to share her expertise and unique perspective with her former school, EIG Monaco, happy to support students in their learning to best prepare them for the demands of the professional world.
A professional in Education for over 30 years, Claude Vivier Le Got is the founder of the EAC schools. In 2007, she became president of the National Institute of Gemmology in France, where she developed new programmes, created, and gained official recognition for the Gemmologist standard. She directed the publication of the Guide to Precious Stones, entrusting the scientific mission to Prof Jean-Claude Boulliard and Charlotte Herman, with the help of Anne Quédillac. Elected president of the FEDE in 2015, representing over 600 higher education institutions in 44 countries, she joined major European and international institutions (Council of Europe, UNESCO, Francophonie, European Commission, UN, etc.) and is fully dedicated to valuing civic skills. She sits, notably, on the Steering Committee for Educational Research of the Council of Europe. Distinguished as a Knight of the National Order of Merit, Knight of the Order of Academic Palms, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, and holder of an Honorary Doctorate, this gemmology enthusiast brings her European and international professional network and her commitment to quality education to EIG Monaco.