Study trip to the Institut National de Gemmologie in Paris

Rome, 1 April 2026

Thanks to Accademia Italiana’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme, students and faculty had the opportunity to benefit from international mobility by traveling to Paris for a week of training activities and meetings in collaboration with the Institut National de Gemmologie, a school that has been training experts in gemmology and fine jewelry since 1967.

The activities focused on understanding the fundamental principles of gemmology and the formation of gemstones, recognizing the main categories and identifying their key physical and optical properties. Through the use of basic gemmological tools for observation and analysis (loupe, microscope, refractometer), students developed a structured method of observation, also acquiring essential vocabulary related to gemmology and the gemstone trade. The focus then shifted to the four main precious stones—diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds—also examining possible synthetic variants, substitutes, and imitations.

Complementing the training were several visits, including a guided tour at Chaumet, the historic French high jewelry maison founded in Paris in 1780 and now part of the LVMH group. The visit was led by Olga Corsini, Director of the Creative Studio, and Giulia Gastaldi, Designer and Accademia Italiana alumna, during which students explored the archives and salons housing the company’s historical heritage. Additional visits included La Galerie du Patrimoine VCA in Place Vendôme, which hosted the exhibition “Van Cleef & Arpels: Enchanter le temps,” and L’École des Arts Joailliers, featuring the exhibition “Stone Reveries: Poetry and Minerals by Roger Caillois.”

A unique international experience that provided students with new working tools as well as valuable opportunities for learning and networking.