About Carole
Carole Richbourg, GG, FGA, ASA, Master Gemologist Appraiser® is an independent jewelry appraiser serving the Santa Clara and San Mateo metropolitan areas. A full-time appraiser since 1989, she has over thirty years of broad experience in the jewelry industry including store management, merchandising, retail sales, appraising, jewelry design and jewelry fabrication.
After several years managing a family-owned jewelry store in Los Altos, Carole developed and managed the company’s appraisal department for six years before establishing Carole C. Richbourg, Fine Jewelry Appraisals and Consulting, Inc. in 2004.
Carole was granted the Graduate Gemologist (GG) title from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 1987, and earned the Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA) title from the American Gem Society (AGS) soon thereafter. Although earned, the CGA title cannot be published unless the titleholder is affiliated with an AGS Guild retailer. Carole is an independent gemologist/appraiser, not affiliated with any retail jewelry stores and that is why you won’t see the CGA letters after her name. Carole is proud to display the prestigious FGA (Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain) which was earned in 2009. Finally, Carole is an Accredited Senior Appraiser/Master Gemologist Appraiser® (ASA/MGA) accredited through the American Society of Appraisers (ASA). This title is only awarded to appraisers who have undergone rigorous testing and have submitted actual appraisals to the Society's Board of Examiners for peer review. The ASA titles require continuing education hours per year, and the MGA designation is subject to re-accreditation every 5 years. See her full list of certifications and courses here.
In addition to serving the public, Carole is a sought-after consultant for the jewelry trade, and is a member of the ASA Gems and Jewelry Board. She has also furthered her skills in identifying and dating jewels by studying jewelry fabrication at the Revere Academy in San Francisco.