When shopping for fine jewelry, it's common to come across a string of professional abbreviations (GIA, GG, DG, AJP, and so on) only to wonder, “What does that mean?”

While they may seem like alphabet soup at first, these abbreviated credentials carry real weight in the jewelry world and can offer clues about the quality of the piece, the expertise of the seller, or the legitimacy of the valuation.

At Walton's Jewelry, our credentials aren't just letters on paper. They represent decades of study, hands-on training, and generations of passion for preserving the beauty and integrity of antique jewelry.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is widely regarded as the gold standard in gemological education, research, and grading. If a diamond or colored gemstone comes with a GIA report, it means it has been evaluated by one of the most reputable laboratories in the world.

Why It Matters

GIA-trained professionals, often further identified with their level of education and credentialing, have completed rigorous coursework and hands-on training in order to evaluate jewelry, identify gemstones, and more. All members of the Walton’s Jewelry team have received training from the GIA.

GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG)

The Graduate Gemologist (GG) program is the most comprehensive gemology education offered by the GIA and is among the most respected in the world. Professionals at this level have completed hundreds of hours of coursework and lab work covering diamond grading, colored stone identification, gem treatments, and more.

Why It Matters

A Graduate Gemologist is qualified to identify and evaluate diamonds and other precious gemstones with the highest degree of professional accuracy. When you're buying antique or vintage jewelry, especially engagement rings or other investment pieces, this level of expertise is indispensable.

At Walton's, that expertise is paired with something the laboratory can't teach: a lifetime spent surrounded by antique and estate jewelry. Owners Mike Walton and Julie Walton Garland, both GIA GGs, bear knowledge built on decades of handling historic diamonds, Old Mine cuts, and century-old settings that many modern jewelers rarely encounter.

GIA Diamond Graduate (GG) & Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP)

Alongside our GGs, our team also holds GIA Graduate Diamond and Applied Jewelry Professional credentials.

• A Diamond Graduate (DG) is a jewelry professional who has completed specialized GIA training on diamonds, including the 4Cs of cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. While a GG covers both diamonds and other gemstones, a GD focuses solely on diamonds.

• An Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) has undergone GIA training covering the essentials of diamonds and precious gemstones as well as jewelry design, style, and care. This credential provides the knowledge necessary to communicate with collectors and help them make informed decisions about their jewelry purchases. 

Why It Matters

These qualifications mean that whether you're buying a Georgian-era engagement ring or Victorian brooch, you're working with a team who can accurately identify, evaluate, and explain each piece, giving you confidence in your purchase.

Gem Laboratories

While we do much of our grading in-house, there are times when sending a gemstone or diamond to an independent laboratory provides valuable additional insight. Depending on the gemstone, details such as whether it has been treated or enhanced, or its geographic origin, can be important for a buyer, and for us when adding a piece to our inventory.

Some of this information requires specialized equipment and extensive reference collections that only a handful of world-class laboratories maintain. In those cases, we turn to some of the most respected names in the industry: 

• GIA (Gemological Institute of America) — The most trusted name in diamond and gemstone grading.
• AGL (American Gemological Laboratories — Known for their expertise in colored gemstones, especially sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, with detailed origin and treatment reporting.
• C. Dunaigre Consulting — A Swiss-based laboratory recognized internationally for precise, thorough gemstone analysis and transparent reporting.

Reports from these laboratories are recognized worldwide for their accuracy, consistency, and credibility — qualities that matter when you’re a collector of fine jewelry.

Why This Matters for Antique Jewelry 

When it comes to antique and estate jewelry, provenance, condition, and authenticity are everything. Whether you’re buying an Art Deco engagement ring or vintage-inspired piece of custom jewelry, understanding the credentials behind the gemstone and the seller can offer valuable peace of mind. A reputable jeweler will always be transparent about their qualifications, and if you see one of the abbreviations listed above, now you know exactly what it means—and why it matters.

At Walton’s Jewelry, we have more than 50 years of experience serving Historic Downtown Franklin and the greater Nashville community. Each member of our team has trained at The Gemological Institute of America and has a deep passion for preserving the history and beauty of antique jewelry. Whether you are a Tennessee local looking to stop by our showroom or prefer to view our selection virtually, we invite you to explore our newest arrivals and reach out with any questions you may have.