(PRESS RELEASE) CARLSBAD, CA – As the global gem and jewelry industry navigates through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is making access to its introductory courses easier than ever before. From May 4, 2020 through June 29, 2020, the GIA Essentials online courses in diamonds, colored stones and jewelry will be available at no cost for first-time enrollments.
Get additional details and apply here.
This limited time opportunity teaches the fundamentals needed for a profession in gems and jewelry. By completing the three GIA Essentials eLearning courses, students may earn the GIA Applied Jewelry Professional™ (AJP) diploma. Eligible courses include Jewelry Essentials (GEM 110), Colored Stone Essentials (GEM 120) and Diamond Essentials (GEM 130).
“Giving access to these foundational courses during this unprecedented time is part of our mission,” said Duncan Pay, senior vice president and chief academic officer of GIA. “Helping to train gem and jewelry professionals ultimately protects consumers and helps to ensure their trust.”
“By offering this course at no cost, GIA is providing the AGS community the opportunity to further develop their gemological knowledge. In turn, this allows our members to better serve consumers,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society. “I appreciate the investment GIA is making in our industry by giving back in so many ways.”
The Essentials courses are entirely online and allow students to work at their own pace within the three-month maximum completion period for each course. These courses are required for many other GIA credential programs. No prior experience or gemological equipment is necessary for these courses.
For press inquiries, please contact Nellie Barnett at [email protected] or +1 760-603-4184.
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Honoring a Legacy: How Smith & Son Jewelers Exceeded Every Goal With Wilkerson
When Andrew Smith decided to close the Springfield, Massachusetts location of Smith & Son Jewelers, the decision came down to family. His father was retiring after 72 years in the business, and Andrew wanted to spend more time with his children and soon-to-arrive grandchildren.
For this fourth-generation jeweler whose great-grandfather founded the company in 1918, closing the 107-year-old Springfield location required the right partner. Smith chose Wilkerson, and the experience exceeded expectations from start to finish.
"Everything they told me was 100% true," Smith says. "The ease and use of all their tools was wonderful."
The consultants' knowledge and expertise proved invaluable. Smith and his father set their own financial goal, but Wilkerson proposed three more ambitious targets. "We thought we would never make it," Smith explains. "We were dead wrong. We hit our first goal, second goal and third goal. It was amazing."
Smith's recommendation is emphatic: "I would never be able to do what they did by myself."
