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
Gem Legacy is a 501(c)3 charity nonprofit supporting vocational training, entrepreneurship, and community development in East African artisanal gem mining communities. We are a charity committed to sustainably solving problems brought to us by artisanal gem mining communities with a culturally sensitive approach. We measure the impact of our presence in a community by the legacy our presence will leave: a significant increase in dollar to impact, expanding capacity of education, earning power, or otherwise, and generational impact and holistic life improvement.
Jewelers for Children (JFC) is the only nonprofit organization uniting the jewelry industry to transform the lives of children in need. With over $61 million raised to date, JFC uniquely combines industry-wide collaboration and impactful partnerships to create life-changing opportunities for children facing a variety of challenges. By linking jewelers with trusted charities like Make-A-Wish and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, JFC ensures every contribution creates moments of hope and meaningful change. This approach highlights the jewelry industry’s commitment and dedication to creating a brighter future for children of all walks of life.
You can learn more about JFC and our annual gala at JCK at jewelersforchildren.org.
Jewelers of America is the most trusted and influential voice of the jewelry industry. With a mission to empower and unite its members, Jewelers of America provides expert guidance, education and advocacy to promote excellence, integrity, and success in an evolving marketplace. Since 1906, Jewelers of America has been advancing the fine jewelry industry, setting high ethical standards, and fostering professional growth for their members. Jewelers of America represents a large, diverse membership of retailers and suppliers in the United States, who commit annually to the organization’s Code of Professional Practices.
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.
The Jewelry Symposium (TJS) for the Advancement of Jewelry Manufacturing Technology is a collaborative, non-profit global community dedicated to the sharing of information and new technologies that will further the advancement of all facets of jewelry manufacturing. The event occurs once a year in the spring, usually in May, beginning with a networking dinner to foster mentorship and connections. Then, respected industry experts from all around the world offer cutting-edge information on topics ranging from metallurgy and manufacturing to sustainability, safety, and new technologies. The audience consists of bench jewelers, designers, manufacturers, students, retailers, and the press.
For more information contact thejewelrysymposium.com / Jessa Cast jessa@thejewelrysymposium.com.
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).
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America (MJSA) is the trade alliance dedicated to professional excellence in jewelry manufacturing and design. Founded in 1903, it provides information, sourcing assistance, and resources to help manufacturers, designers, and trade suppliers of all sizes run profitable businesses.
Through its concierge sourcing program, MJSA connects manufacturers and designers with reliable providers of the latest jewelry-making tools, equipment, supplies, and services. It also connects retailers with its members’ newest finished jewelry lines and designs.
MJSA’s print and digital publications, including the award-winning MJSA Press books and the monthly MJSA Journal—provide access to some of the industry’s most renowned technical and business experts, all of whom generously share their insights and solutions for finding inspiration, maintaining quality, streamlining production, and boosting profits.
MJSA and its 501(c)3 non-profit subsidiary, the MJSA Education Foundation, support career and training initiatives to ensure the industry continues to maintain a competitive workforce. Those initiatives include student scholarships, a “Career Connections” program to connect businesses with needed staff, and the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which guides business through all aspects of finding, hiring, and training an apprentice.
To learn more, visit MJSA.org or call 1-800-444-MJSA.
Platinum Guild International (PGI) is a marketing organization which was created in 1975 with the vision to develop the global platinum jewelry market as a new demand source for platinum. Since then, jewelry development has demonstrated a strong track record in delivering results, and platinum jewelry has contributed over 80 million ounces of demand.
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 unique 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. These markets are staffed with experts in strategic planning, marketing, retail, design and business development.
PGI is funded by the leading platinum producers of South Africa, as well as through co-funded programs with the jewelry industry.
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
