Trade Organizations
The American Gem Society (AGS), founded in 1934, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. AGS awards credentials for its members, who must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Members of the AGS are passionate about jewelry and dedicated to creating a positive buying experience for their customers. Visit americangemsociety.org to learn more.
Diamond Council of America is a non-profit organization that provides quality, affordable distance education and the opportunity to earn professional certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales. DCA was founded as a forum to educate jewelry sales professionals and provide quality, affordable distance education that enhances sales associates’ ability to sell fine jewelry with expertise, integrity, and professionalism.
DCA offers jewelers the opportunity to earn professional certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales through distance education. DCA has more than 350 members representing over 2,900 jewelry stores in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. DCA is an affiliate of Jewelers of America, the leading jewelry trade organization for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace.
dcalearning.org/ Toll Free: (877) 283-5669
Jewelers of America (JA) is a non-profit organization that provides its members with resources, representation and the recognition needed to be profitable in the evolving marketplace.
Jewelers of America was founded in 1906, by jewelers for jewelers, with a desire to advance the professionalism and ethics of the jewelry industry. Today, Jewelers of America is uniquely positioned to be an advocate for their members, industry, and jewelry consumers.
JA’s mission to enhance consumer confidence in the jewelry industry is achieved by acting as a forum for the analysis and discussion of issues affecting the industry; playing a leadership role in public, government and industry affairs; advocating professionalism including high ethical, social and environmental standards; providing timely information to members on issues affecting their businesses; giving members access to education services in the areas of business management, sales, gemology, product knowledge and technical skills; and developing initiatives that will benefit the retail jewelry marketplace.
Membership with Jewelers of America is a small price to pay to have access to the resources, representation and recognition benefits that JA membership provides. JA helps members increase their reputation, staff’s knowledge, and profits while staying informed on industry, legislative and regulatory issues.
Members of Jewelers of America also stand out as trusted jewelry industry professionals. Membership provides opportunities to promote your business to consumer and trade audiences and be located by consumers seeking a trusted jewelry retailer. If you are not yet a member, join JA today! Together, we shine brighter. To learn more, visit www.jewelers.org/join or call member services at 800-223-0673.
Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) is the jewelry industry’s independent legal expert. For more than 100 years, JVC’s sole focus has been on helping jewelers build flourishing businesses that operate with the highest levels of integrity and legal and regulatory compliance.
JVC educates and trains jewelry industry members about their rights and responsibilities as business owners, employers, suppliers, designers, manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of jewelry. We are the industry’s legal advocate, liaising with U.S. and international judicial and regulatory bodies on issues that impact everyone’s livelihoods. We are the industry’s trusted resource when complex questions arise that threaten reputations and revenue.
To learn more about JVC member benefits for retailers visit here: https://jvclegal.org/retailer/
JVC is committed to the jewelry industry’s success today and tomorrow. Visit jvclegal.org to learn more about our many services and resources. As a member-supported organization, we hope many more will join us in safeguarding the reputation, integrity, and vitality of our brilliant industry.
See our full list of events here: https://jvclegal.org/jvc-events-and-webinars/ (we update our calendar regularly with new events as we’re asked to join webinars or in person conferences).
Platinum Guild International is a marketing organization which was created in 1975 and is funded by the world’s leading platinum producers. These producers are headquartered in South Africa, where over 80% of the world’s platinum is sourced, with operations also in Zimbabwe, the United States, and Canada.
PGI’s mission is to develop platinum jewelry as a demand source for platinum that contributes to the long-term sustainability of the platinum industry. Since its creation, jewelry development has demonstrated a strong track record in delivering results, and platinum jewelry has contributed over 80 million ounces of demand. Jewelry is currently the second largest demand source for platinum.
Through various programs, both direct to consumer and in collaboration with jewelry retailers and manufacturers, PGI creates consumer ounce demand by first identifying opportunities for platinum in jewelry, and then developing them with partners. PGI’s consumer marketing and educational programs are focused on developing awareness and an appreciation for platinum’s pure, rare, and eternal qualities as a precious metal for fine jewelry. In addition, PGI works collaboratively with partners globally, running extensive marketing programs in the four main platinum jewelry markets of China, Japan, USA and India.
About The Plumb Club: Founded in 1983 by a small group of distinguished manufacturers as a social club, The Plumb Club has evolved into one of the jewelry industry’s leading supplier organizations. Today, The Plumb Club is a unique coalition of leading, responsible and important suppliers spanning all facets of the jewelry, diamond and watch industries. The member organizations account for a significant percentage of the domestic fine jewelry market.
The purpose of the organization is to connect its members and their retail customers and help shape the future of the jewelry industry through providing knowledge and innovation.
Plumb Club Members act in the utmost responsible manner and observe the highest standards of business and personal conduct including, but not limited to, business ethics, sourcing, human rights, social and environmental responsibility, and maintain management systems through which these practices can be validated.
All Plumb Club Members are required to be certified members of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) www.plumbclub.com www.jewelersresourcecenter.com
Contact Lawrence Hess , (201) 816-8881 LHess@plumbclub.com
The Women’s Jewelry Association’s (WJA) mission is to grow and cultivate leaders within the jewelry and watch industry through our 3 pillars: Community, Connection & Collaboration. We believe that education and mentorship are the most powerful tools to boost confidence and professional success. WJA creates impact through its robust programming and member benefits, as well as through its charitable foundation, giving away grants and scholarships to train the next generation of designers, business owners and professionals.
This year, WJA will showcase emerging designers from its Jewelry Loupe Project business development program at JCK Vegas with generous support from De Beers. The designers have gone through a rigorous 6-month training course led by expert jewelry professionals. Designers are paired with one-on-one mentors and culminate their learnings with a critique of their collections at the end of the program. Participants are invited to show with WJA at JCK Vegas, and we invite the retail community to stop by and visit our booth in the Design Collective. For more details, please email info@womensjewelryassociation.com.
