George Brown College (GBC) to suspend three out of the four jewellery and gemmology programs as of September 2025. The decision follows a series of financial challenges exacerbated by recent changes in international student policies. While the college’s Jewellery Essentials program (F111), a one-year certificate course, will remain active, the other programs will no longer be accepting new intakes.
Current students enrolled in the affected programs will have until April 2027 to complete their courses, allowing them to finish their studies before the suspension takes full effect. New intakes will be halted in 2025
Dr. Ana Rita Morais, Interim Dean of the Centre for Arts, Design, & Information Technology and the Centre for Business, provided insight into the decision-making process in a letter explaining the financial pressures the college has faced. “Recently, international student policy changes by the Government of Canada have resulted in significant financial challenges for the college and university sector, including George Brown,” Dr. Morais wrote. “These policy changes have caused a precipitous drop in the number of international students studying at Canadian institutions along with material shortfall in budgets on top of already challenging financial positions across the sector.”
George Brown College’s School of Fashion and Jewellery, the largest jewellery school in North America, has long been a cornerstone of the industry. The news comes as a blow to many in the jewellery community, with alumni and industry professionals expressing concern over the loss of one of Canada’s most notable educational programs in the field—which has now been reduced to a one-year certificate offering essential jewellery-making skills.
In response, students have launched an online petition and written a public letter to express their deep concerns. The letter reads:
“We, the undersigned, wish to express our deep concern regarding the proposed closure of programs in Jewellery and Gemmology at the School of Fashion and Jewellery at George Brown College (GBC). We believe that this decision would be a grave error and misjudgement, one that not only jeopardizes the futures of the talented students and dedicated staff but one which would also have a devastating impact on the North American jewellery industry as a whole. This decision would signify not only a significant setback for GBC, but for the industry at large.
As artisans, we are inspired by the masters who came before us. We have learned that the craftsmanship and knowledge passed down through generations is invaluable. GBC has been a beacon of artistry and composure. If GBC follows through with its proposal to snuff out said light, it will darken the path for the future of the industry, creating a significant gap in education for future generations of jewellery and gemmology students, undermining the growth and development of local businesses, artisans, and independent designers who depend on the skilled graduates this program produces. We stand at a crossroads, where the decision to close these programs would be akin to pulling the roots from a flourishing tree- leaving not only current students without the education they’ve worked tirelessly for, but also depriving the industry of the next generation of skilled jewellers and gemologists.
We stand united in urging George Brown College to reconsider its decision and take immediate action to secure the future of the Jewellery and Gemmology programs. We call on the administration to reevaluate its budgeting decisions, explore alternative funding opportunities, and engage in open and transparent communication with prospective students, current students, alumni and staff to identify solutions that will protect and sustain the department not just for now, but in the longer term as well.
As students, we have invested our time, energy, and finances- our blood, sweat and tears- into this program. We have made countless sacrifices to pursue our passion and our craft. It is with the same dedication that we stand together, united, to protect the education and future that we all believe in. With the right support and commitment, we are confident that the Jewellery and Gemmology programs can continue to thrive and contribute to the North American jewellery and gemmology industry for years to come.
We ask for your support in keeping the Jewellery and Gemmology programs at George Brown College open and ensuring that this vital school continues to benefit the students, staff, and community at large. We implore you to consider the long-term implications of this impending closure. We have stood on the shoulders of giants, but without this program, will there be any giants left at all?”
