Press Releases

American Gem Society Launches Digital Badging for Members

The badges are the first of its kind in the jewelry industry.

Published

5 years ago

November 1, 2019

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS – The American Gem Society (AGS) announced the launch of “digital badging” credentials for AGS members. The badges are the first of its kind in the jewelry industry.

A digital badge is a graphical icon that indicates the AGS members’ credentials and accomplishments and is displayed, accessed, and verified online. The badge can be added to their email signature, website, or social media.

Consumers can click on the member’s badge, which then takes them to an online source that goes into further detail about why they have earned that badge, the methods they took to achieve it, and how they are working to maintain their AGS credentials.

“As a titleholder, our members have pledged to uphold the AGS mission of maintaining and promoting strong business ethics, continuing education, and protecting the consumer. In their stores, our members proudly display their certificates, but they cannot do that online or in emails.Digital badging acts as that virtual wall behind their desk or counter where they can proudly display their hard-earned certificates,” said Katherine Bodoh, RJ, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories. “It’s one more way we can let consumers know about the importance of shopping with an AGS jeweler, and is a point of differentiation for the jeweler.”

For more information about the American Gem Society, please visit ags.org. To learn more about digital badging, visit ags.org/digitalbadging.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”