Carolyn van der Bogert has a dual bachelor's degree in Planetary & Space Sciences and Geology from Boston University, and master's and doctoral degrees in Geological Science from Brown University. After completing her doctoral degree, she worked as a research scientist at the Gemological Institute of America for two years, while simultaneously earning her Graduate Gemologist degree. In 2006, she returned to the field of planetary geology, as a research scientist at the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universitaet in Muenster, Germany. Her interests include origins of color in fancy-colored diamonds and garnets, as well as the use of spectroscopy for the characterization and identification of gems and gem treatments.