Press Releases

JA Bench Certification Exam Offered at GIA’s Carlsbad Campus

On-site exam benefits: special pricing, no external proctor required, dedicated workstation at GIA, and two-day completion.

Published

10 months ago

June 24, 2024

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK, NY — Jewelers of America (JA), the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, will offer its Bench Professional Certification exam at GIA’s Carlsbad Campus. The exam will be given on August 8-9, 2024.

“JA’s Bench Certification exam is a terrific way for individuals to validate their skills, communicate professionalism, help its business stand out and gain consumer confidence. We are thrilled to be able to offer the exam on-site at The Robert Mouawad Campus at GIA’s World Headquarters,” says Jewelers of America president & CEO David Bonaparte.

Jewelers of America developed the Bench Professional Certification program in 1997. The program establishes national standards and administers tests to rate the talents and proficiency of bench jewelers at three levels. GIA will be offering the JA Certified Beginner Bench Jeweler exam that reflects the skills and knowledge generally expected of a trained entry-level bench jeweler.

The benefits of taking the exam on-site include special pricing, not needing an outside proctor, taking the exam at a dedicated workstation at GIA’s state-of-the-art facilities, and completing the exam in two days. This opportunity is perfect for all beginning bench jewelers.

In addition to the exam, the GIA Alumni Collective will offer an optional three-day prep workshop before the exam. In the intensive workshop, participants will learn techniques designed to improve efficiency at the bench and review foundational jewelry-making practices found on the exam. They will receive detailed information on what to expect and gain confidence in their skills under the guidance of an expert GIA instructor. The in-person workshop will be held August 5-7, 2024.

To learn more about JA’s Bench Professional Certification Exam and to register for the exam, visit here. For further information, contact Jewelers of America’s Member Services at (800) 223-0673 or members@jewelers.org.

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.