My name is Casey Gerdes, and I’m raising funds to complete the professional gemology education and hands‑on laboratory training required to build a trustworthy, credentialed jewelry business.

I’m a father of two, an Outboard mechanic, and a welder by trade. I’ve spent years working in physically demanding environments, often around fumes and materials that aren’t sustainable long‑term. My goal is to transition into a safer, skilled profession that I’m passionate about: gemology.

To operate a reputable jewelry business and provide accurate gemstone identification and appraisal services, I need formal gemological training, specialized tools, and in‑person laboratory courses. These programs are expensive, and as someone supporting a family and living paycheck to paycheck, I simply can’t cover these costs alone.

Your support directly helps me move toward a stable, professional future built on expertise, integrity, and craftsmanship.

Why This Matters

Professional gemology credentials are essential for:

Identifying gemstones accurately

Protecting customers from misrepresentation

Providing appraisal services

Building a jewelry business people can trust

My long‑term goal is to earn respected titles such as Graduate Gemologist (GG), FGA, CGA, ASA, and NAJA, which require both academic study and hands‑on lab work.

How Your Contribution Helps

Every amount makes a real difference. Here’s exactly what your support goes toward:

$10–$25

Helps purchase small but essential tools (loupe, tweezers, stone papers)

Covers printing, study materials, and online coursework fees

$50

Supports gemology textbooks and reference guides

Helps pay for gem identification practice stones

$100

Contributes to tuition for foundational gemology courses

Offsets costs of required lab equipment

$250

Helps pay for specialized tools such as a refractometer or polariscope

Covers a portion of online gemology modules

$500

Supports travel expenses required for in‑person lab sessions

Covers a significant portion of tuition for professional gemology programs

$1,000+

Directly funds major lab courses required for professional credentials

Moves me closer to completing the education needed to operate at a certified, professional level

Every contribution — no matter the size — brings me closer to a safer career and a future built on expertise rather than physical strain.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I’ve been completing every certificate I can remotely, but the next steps require in‑person training, specialized tools, and tuition that are beyond my current means. As a parent and full‑time worker, I’m doing everything I can — but I can’t reach this goal alone.

If you believe in education, skilled trades, or helping someone build a better future for their family, your support truly means the world.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or contributing. Your generosity helps me take the next step toward becoming a fully credentialed professional gemologist.