About Eva Kountouraki
About Eva
Eva Kountouraki is an experienced Gemologist, gemology instructor and luxury industry training expert with an extensive background in precious jewelry.
Eva was born and raised in a family of goldsmiths and jewelers. From a very young age she expressed her keen interest in gems, jewelry and design, a passion that led her to devote her studies and her career in this field.
After studying gemology books in various languages, she attended gemological seminars in Greece and Europe and developed practical skills to analyze gems, Eva decided to accredit those skills choosing the best gemological institute in the world, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), for her studies.
Succeeding unprecedented results in the practice and theory of gemology, analyzing and identifying thousands of gemstones and diamonds, she graduated and acquired the prestigious GIA Graduate Gemologist Diploma, which includes specialized studies in diamond grading (GIA Graduate Diamonds Diploma) and colored gemstones (GIA Graduate Colored Stones Diploma). Her studies in the jewelry field continued and Eva got her Jewelry Business Management Diploma, gaining specialized knowledge about all the aspects of the jewelry industry. Her training continued with jewelry design and computer aided design.
Eva received special training from professional and experienced gemologists of GIA Italy, New York and California US, and for more than a decade she taught gemology and jewelry design in GIA, transferring her experience, knowledge and passion for diamonds, gems and jewelry to her students –famous professionals from around world.
Eve is proud to be the only Greek who has ever accomplished such a distinction in the field of diamonds and precious stones.
Professional Background
Except for the GIA, Eva collaborates with the world’s most important gemological and luxury studies Institutes, like the HRD. Eva collaborates especially with the Dubai UAE branch of the HRD and teaches diamond grading to students from around the globe. Eva was one of the developing members of the Jewellery Design Master program for the prestigious Istituto Marangoni School of Design, based in Milano, Italy, and as an instructor for the Istituto she teaches Applied Gemology for jewelry designers. Eva has developed and been the director of the gemological academy of the Gulf Institute of Gemology in the Middle East, based in Muscat, Oman.
Eva has worked in the Central American Diamond Exchange based in Panama City where she developed and established diamond wholesale companies and she also collaborated with the Institution as an educator for the members of the Diamond Exchange. While in Central America, Eva participated as a founding member of the “Mujeres Brillantes – Brilliant Women” initiative for the empowerment of women in the Latin American and international Gem and Jewelry industry, an initiative that grew to become global.
Activities in Greece
Never forgetting about her home, Eva has collaborated with various schools and organizations in Greece, like MOKUME silversmith and jewellery design school, Platon KEK vocal training center, the Association of jewelers of Thessaloniki, and the POVAKO Jewellery Federation, for whom she organized educational seminars for jewelry professionals and students. Eva is also often invited as a guest speaker by international jewelry fairs in Greece and around the world.
Collaborations
Eva is also chosen to be the gemology trainer for the staff of the worldwide renowned group Richemont –home of the world’s most significant luxury brands, and especially at Cartier, for whom she develops and teaches gemology to the Cartier jewelry professionals and salespeople.
Eva has collaborated with international precious jewelry auction houses, and as an international lecturer on various aspects of gemology and jewelry, has traveled throughout the world to share the passion for gems and gemology as a guest speaker for several organizations. During her 20+ year experience as a gemologist, Eva has studied important jewelry collections and unique gemstones
Accredited Gemologists Association
Eva is a member of the global Accredited Gemologists Association.
Alongside her work as a gemology instructor, Eva is a jewelry and gemstone buyer and consultant for privates and companies, advising and helping her clients to make successful purchases and investments in gemstones. She also organizes and teaches seminars for the training of gemstone and jewelry merchants, salespeople and gem-passionates.
Eva is also skilled in evaluating gemstones and jewelry, as well as designing one-of-a-kind high jewelry pieces.
