Myriam Tashey is Vice President of PGSL and a second-generation jewelry industry professional born in Antwerp, Belgium, one of the historic centers of the global diamond trade. She has worked in multiple sectors of the industry worldwide since the age of eighteen, developing extensive expertise in rough and polished diamonds, colored gemstones, and gemological evaluation.

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Her career in diamonds began as a pintler, where she examined rough diamonds by drawing on the crystal to study wax and grain, carefully analyzing internal characteristics in order to determine the optimal cutting plan and maximize both yield and value. From 1974 to 1979, Myriam traveled extensively throughout Africa, purchasing rough diamonds in South Africa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Botswana, the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Kenya, and Sierra Leone, and distributing those goods in international markets. During this period she also traded in rough emeralds sourced from the mines of Zambia and Brazil. In 1980 she relocated to Los Angeles, California, where she and Thomas Tashey began working together in the gemological field.

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Together, Thomas and Myriam Tashey introduced numerous innovations that helped modernize the jewelry and diamond grading industry. They established the first independently owned gemological laboratory to operate on a truly global basis and were early pioneers of on-site diamond grading at major international jewelry trade shows. Among their contributions were the introduction of professional diamond consultation services, the development of online report verification through the Polygon network database, the adoption of the SI3 clarity designation on grading reports, and editorial work on The World of Color.

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From 1992 to 1997, Myriam served as a career counselor at the GIA Jewelry Career Fair in Santa Monica, California, where she advised and mentored individuals entering the jewelry profession. She continues to mentor students and industry professionals seeking to advance their careers. In recognition of her longstanding contributions to the field, she was honored in 2008 by the Women’s Jewelry Association with the “Woman Making a Difference” award.

Languages

English

Dutch

French

Hebrew

Spanish



Work Experience

2019: Special Guest Speaker at National Pawnbrokers Association annual event in Las Vegas.

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2013: Co-Founded the World of Color courses with Eitan Tashey.



2012: Co-Founded the World of Diamonds courses with Eitan Tashey.



2010 - Current: Give workshops for the public on "How to Buy a Diamond."

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2009 - Current: Grading and appraising on-site at national jewelry and fashion shows.



2007 - Current: Began teaching and training staff of wholesalers, retailers, and pawn-brokers on diamond grading, treatments, enhancements, and best business practices of the jewelry industry.



2007: Served as expert witness on trials and pre-trial hearings (civil court).



2000: Changed Corporate name to Professional Gem Sciences, Inc. (PGS).



1998: Opened a second location of Gem Quality Institute in Chicago, IL.



1994: Incorporated business as Gem Quality Institute, Inc. (GQI), Los Angeles, CA.



1985 - 2001: Acquired the rights to operate and directed the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), Los Angeles, CA.



1980: Started own company with partner and husband Thomas Tashey, G.G., F.G.A., Independent Gemological Laboratory and Consultants (IGL), Los Angeles, CA.



1975 - 1979: Worked as the assistant to Georges Evens, Site Holder; was in charge of sorting and buying rough and industrial diamonds, Antwerp, Belgium.



1974 - 1975: Worked as a diamond "pintler" (drawing on rough diamonds to make the best cut) at Phillipe Frank, Antwerp Diamond Bourse, Antwerp, Belgium.





Affiliations: 



Chicago Jeweler's Association (CJA)

       -- Board Member (present)
      -- Vice President (2002)
      -- organized the CJA Annual Gala (2003)
      Was the first female Vice President of the CJA, and the first female organizer of the CJA Annual Gala.

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Women's Jewelry Association (WJA), Midwest Chapter
      -- President (2007)
      -- organized two "Women in the Know" Conferences (2007, 2008)

Women's Jewelry Association (WJA), Los Angeles Chapter

       -- Vice President (1985)