Gagan Choudhary FGA is the Director (Technical and Training) and in-charge of IIGJ-Research & Laboratories Centre, Jaipur (formerly, Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur), India. He handles various activities of the laboratory which includes certification, research and other managerial operations.
A Graduate in Commerce and without any prior knowledge and background in gemstones, in 1999, Gagan joined the Diploma Course in Gem Identification at the Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur, while pursuing Chartered Accountancy. However, he was awarded with the “Student of the Year” for proficiency in Practical. This gave him a new direction into the world of gemstones and since then there was no looking back….the world of gemstones and their inclusions were much more fascinating than the tricky numbers, calculations and taxes! Subsequently, he joined the Masters’ Diploma in Gem Identification being conducted by the same centre and worked extensively on a project on corundum identification, under the guidance of highly acclaimed gemmologist in the country, Shyamala Fernandes. The course was extremely strenuous, but it gave him the incentive of enjoying the challenges of gem identification and its many techniques. Later, Gagan went on to complete the Diploma in Gemmology from Gemmological Association of Great Britain and was selected as the Fellow (FGA). In August 2010, he undertook the Scientific Gemmology Course from Swiss Gemmological Institute – SSEF, Basel, Switzerland.
Gagan joined Gem Testing Laboratory, Jaipur in February 2001 as Assistant Research Gemmologist and was involved in the preparation of an extensive database of gemstone spectra on the FTIR spectrometer as a part timer. Working on spectra and their interpretation for almost six months, pulled him deeper into gemmology and he joined the laboratory on regular basis as Assistant Gemmologist, where in addition to testing and research, he used to take gemmology classes as well. In June 2003, he was designated as Assistant Director (Technical & Training) and then in May 2008, he was handed over the charge of the laboratory. During all these years at the laboratory, he along with Shyamala Fernandes prepared the laboratory and course manuals as standards, for use in certification and educational activities of the centre. In addition, he has been involved in developing the methods of identification of treated and synthetic stones such as quartz, corundum, emerald, etc.
His first book, ‘Understanding Rough Gemstones’ (published in 2010) covering various nuances of rough gemstones was co-authored with Shyamala Fernandes. Then in the year 2016, Gagan released another book, titled “Gems aur Rocks” in Hindi for easing out technical aspects of gemmology for the industry. And in the year 2020, his third book, “The Science of Gemstone Treatment” was released with co-authorship of Rajneesh Bhandari.
Gagan has authored and co-authored numerous gem related articles over the years which have been published in various trade and gemmological magazines like Gems & Gemology (Gemological Institute of America), Gems & Jewellery (Gemmological Association of Great Britain), The Journal of Gemmology (Gemmological Association of Great Britain), The Australian Gemmologist (Gemmological Association of Australia), Journal of Gems & Gemology (China), Gem World, etc. In addition, he has also attended, prepared and presented many papers in national and international gemmological conferences like Indian Gemmological Seminars (various editions), International Coloured Stone Association Congresses, Gemstone Industry and Laboratory Committee (GILC), GIA Symposiums, various editions of GIT, various editions of the International Gemmological Conference (IGC), etc.
Gagan has held position as a member of the advisory committee of various conferences such as GIA Symposiums – 2009 (later called off) and 2011, GIT, etc. He is also serving as co-editor of Gem News International section of GIA’s Gems & Gemology journal. He undertook the daunting task (along with Late K.T. Ramchandran of GII, Mumbai) of identification and certification of endless gems in as many jewels of Lord Venkateshwara (widely known as Tirupati Balaji – one of the richest deities of the world) …… an experience to relish for the lifetime.