In this very unique lecture presentation Helen Serras-Herman — an award-winning gem and jewelry artist and 2003 National Lapidary Hall of Fame Inductee — will share her passion for carved gems, the interconnection between fine art and the spell-bounding natural mineral world, and her personal journey from sculpture to gem sculpture. While showing examples of her 41-year artwork, Helen reflects on her sources of inspiration from her world-travels to mines and archaeological sites, the ancient Greek mythology, and her southwest environment. She will share her Copper Trails and Arizona Gems Collections that focus on rare and unusual Arizona gemstones.

Helen will bring copies of her recently-published book Carved Gems – Inspiration & Expertise. Reviews of her book say that, “readers will be captivated by Helen’s autobiographical story that is so closely intertwined with her art, inspired by her descriptions, educated about her methods, mesmerized by her images, and compelled to create, embrace, collect, wear, study, and fall in love with gem artwork.”

Tickets to this seminar include museum admission for the rest of the day until the museum closes at 4pm. Make sure to view Helen's pieces on display in the Arizona Gallery!

Helen Serras-Herman’s award-winning, one-of-a-kind, distinctive gem sculpture and jewelry art has been exhibited world-wide and published in over 300 trade magazines and books.

Born in New York City, Helen lived in Athens, Greece, and studied sculpture (MFA) in Berlin, Germany. She is also a graduate gemologist (FGA) and apprentice to the last master of the English school of Glyptic Arts. In 2005, after 18 years in Maryland, Helen and her husband moved to Rio Rico.

Helen is a member of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), a Fellow member of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA), and a member and past President of the Gem Artists of North America (GANA). She is also a frequent article contributor to Rock & Gem magazine, the EZ-Guides gem show guides published by XpoPress, and other gem trade publications. She was also President of the Rio Rico Historical Society from 8/2018 to 2/2024.