About Gala Jewelers LLC
Meet Your Lead Expert –
Gala (Galina Anatolia) Hodges, GG GIA, RGA USGI
Founder of Gala Jewelers LLC, Fallbrook, California
- A Graduate Gemologist & Registered Appraiser dedicated to revealing your jewelry’s true value
- Where expertise, integrity, and fine jewelry come together
- Your trusted guide in jewelry appraisals and gemology
With over 20 years of experience in the U.S. jewelry industry, I bring a depth of expertise shaped by training at some of the most prestigious gemological institutions in the world — the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the United States Gemology Institute (formally the International School of Gemology). I hold the Graduate Gemologist Diploma (GIA) and the Registered Gemologist Appraiser Certificate (USGI).
As a highly motivated jewelry professional, I combine technical mastery with refined customer service. My professionalism, knowledge, and dedication consistently create trust and satisfaction for my clients. Passionate about continuous learning and excellence, I ensure every appraisal, valuation, and consultation reflects both precision and integrity.
In addition to my U.S. education, I am a graduate of the prestigious Rostov State Economic University (RSEU) in Russia, where I earned a degree in Management in 1999 following five years of study.
I also hold an Engineering degree in Welding from Taganrog Mechanical Engineering College (now the Polytechnic Institute, a branch of DSTU in Taganrog), which I completed in 1985, graduating with high honors.
I have over 17 years of experience working with major jewelry corporations, including Finlay and Whitehall, as well as renowned U.S. department stores such as Macy’s, Bergner’s, Carson Pirie Scott, Lord & Taylor, and Sears in the Chicago area.
Jewelry is not only my profession — it is my passion and my life. To deepen my knowledge of jewelry manufacturing and craftsmanship, I trained in bench work under renowned Chicago-area jeweler Arkadiy Sirotsky of DiModa Jewelers (Buffalo Grove, IL) from January 2013 to February 2014.
Our Team of Experts
At Gala Jewelers LLC, your jewelry is evaluated and cared for by a team of specialists working together:
- Certified Gemologist Appraiser – providing accurate and trusted valuations.
- Jewelry Designer – blending creative vision with deep technical knowledge to bring unique ideas to life.
- Jewelry & Rolex Expert – decades of industry insight into quality and craftsmanship, with over 30 years of hands-on expertise in Rolex watches.
- Master Jeweler – more than 30 years of skilled bench work, custom design, and fine repair experience in the San Diego area.
Together, this unique blend of expertise ensures every evaluation, design, and restoration is handled with the highest level of precision, artistry, and trust.