Something special happened in August…we brought David Carlson, GIA Graduate Gemologist, on staff. David is 6’2″ tall, and can retrieve things from our highest shelves–and so much more. We’re delighted to have his specialized skill set and warm personality at New Gild Jewelers!
David’s first job wasn’t as a gemologist, but a paper route–a right of passage for many boys and girls. At age twelve or so, he delivered the Star Tribune to front porches in his neighborhood. The papers were heavy and the deliveries were conducted very early in the morning. He remembers that this job taught him that people are particular, and customer service is important.
David attended college at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) where he graduated with a degree in geology, with which he was fascinated. Geology and gemology aren’t as far apart as journalism and gemology, so when David began working at a national jewelry retailer in around 2000, he saw the potential. He took Diamond Council of America (DCA) courses in order to become their onsite expert in gems and diamonds, and despite already having a geology degree, he learned a great deal and the foundation of his passion was poured.
Later, David went on to earn a GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is considered the Harvard of diamonds. He loves learning about specialized terms like chatoyancy and birefringence–you can stop in and ask him what these words mean if you’re a geek that loves gem stories like us! David is humble, and insists that he’s not an expert, but a generalist. He loves the meticulous process of identifying gems–things may look like one thing, but, “you go through the process and find out it’s another.”
David could find excellent employment in a gem lab somewhere, but he loves exploring the one-on-one that working with the public allows. At New Gild Jewelers, he enjoys exploring the entrepreneurial aspect of our venture, “the white space, the unknown.” He finds Linden Hills a very “genuine” Minneapolis neighborhood, as it is a “magnet for artists, unique businesses and experiences, and families.”
So what’s left for this consummate professional who has coffee and cereal bars for breakfast most days, a breakfast he admits with some trepidation? “Maybe numismatics,” he says. When customers come in with a bag of jewelry, he feels like a, “pirate in someone’s treasure chest”–he loves discovery. His two small boys now love rocks, too, which is no surprise–we do too.
We invite you to visit our custom jewelry studio anytime and meet David Carlson and the rest of our custom jewelry team!
