By Jordan Clary

Robert Lee Morris discusses design concepts with Carly Gerrity, a Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler thanks to a GIA scholarship. Photo by Dominick Fiorille

She came across an advertisement for GIA in a magazine and after researching the Institute, decided it would be the perfect place to begin her career. She received the James R. Lucey Scholarship in 1998 and began studying for her Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) and Graduate Jeweler diplomas.

Her talent, enthusiasm and work ethic didn't go unnoticed. Steve Workman, Gerrity's design instructor, heard renowned jeweler Robert Lee Morris speak at GIA's 1999 International Gemological Symposium and thought she would be a great fit to work in product development for Morris' line of fine jewelry.

She took his advice, applied and found herself heading across the country to New York City in January 2000.

Morris, an award-winning designer and author of the book, The Power of Jewelry, has developed a line of signature shapes that have been featured in fashion magazines like Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Glamour. One of his recent collections pays tribute to legendary artist, Andy Warhol.

Gerrity began working with Morris as a design assistant and worked her way up to her present position as director of Product Development. Her job is to consult with Morris as he designs new pieces, evaluating previous sales and planning for new collections. She then meets with the model makers and the design team to make sure the new products are ready to be outsourced; some of the high-end jewelry is manufactured in Morris' studio. And, finally, she works with the various factories to the point where the pieces are ready to be produced.

"Carly has been the example of an ideal right-hand assistant," Morris says. The job entails "working very closely with me and being very sensitive to how best to produce the jewelry and maintain the original feeling and spirit of the design prototypes. This is a job that gets better the longer the same person stays in that role. While personal chemistry is a vital part of being able to function as if she were part of me, it helps that we share many of the same quirky personal interests in literature, film and art."

It's an ideal job for Gerrity because "it's a combination of creativity and technical application," she says. "I get to work with Robert, who is very creative, and also apply the technical skills I learned at GIA."

Morris also appreciates Gerrity's gemological background. "Carly's expertise in gemology is always a treat, for I use a wide variety of minerals in my collections … and her training at GIA has been invaluable for me and the company. The great thing about her job is that she is able to participate in the victories we have in our business and know that she had a key part to play in all of them. She sets a standard for teamwork in a business that is often a frenzy of wild and exhilarating activity."

Gerrity advises new students to make use of the networking opportunities at GIA. "You'll meet so many people in the industry," she says. "Classmates, instructors, guest lecturers – these are all potential opportunities for leads to future employment." She also recommends that students "really take advantage of the information that the instructors can give you. These are top professionals in the industry."

A number of Gerrity's instructors gave her information above and beyond what is taught in the classroom, she says.

"GIA's instructors are an untapped resource. All you have to do is ask."