Industry Organizations

A variety of trade organizations and publications offer information, materials, and staff to answer questions regarding their sector of the industry.

American Gem Society
Robert M. Shipley Bldg.
8881 West Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89117
Tel:  (702) 255-6500
Fax:  (702) 255-7420
www.AmericanGemSociety.org

• AGS Credentials – Certified Sales Associate, Registered Jeweler, Registered Supplier, Certified Gemologist, Certified Gemologist Appraiser, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser. Each credential must be renewed annually through the Re-certification exam.
• AGS Diamond Grading Standards
• AGS Appraisal Standards
• AGS Advanced Instruments — Diamond grading software and instruments
• AGS International Conclave — the premier industry educational event
• AGS Campus Education — GIA classes; scholarship opportunities
• AGS Marketing Programs for members
• AGS Custom Sales Training for members
• AGS Laboratories – Diamond grading laboratory producing the internationally respected Diamond Quality Document
• The American Gem Society – an elite group of jewelry retailers who have met the highest professional standards in the industry.

American Gem Trade Association
3030 LBJ Freeway, Suite 840
Dallas, TX 75234
Tel:  (214) 742-4367, (800) 972-1162
Fax:  (214) 742-7334
www.agta.org

• AGTA GemFair™ Tucson – annual trade show
• AGTA GemFair Pavilions at the JCK Las Vegas Show, The Smart Show and JA NY Summer Show
• AGTA Source Directory of Colored Gemstone and Cultured Pearl Suppliers
• AGTA Prism newsletter and ePRISM weekly enewsletter
• AGTA Colored Gemstone Promotional materials – brochures, stock photography, postcards
• AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Seminars on DVD-Rom
• AGTA Online Education Course

California Jewelers Association (CJA)
900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1220
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Tel:  (213) 623-5722
Fax:  (213) 623-5742
www.CaliforniaJewelers.org

• Group Insurance Programs: Workers’ Compensation Insurance Group Plan; Jeweler’s Block, Liability Property Insurance; medical, disability; long term care insurance
• Business Enhancements and Tools: Payroll Services; Check Guarantee System; Telephone Messages; Credit; Debit Card, as well as Gift Card Processing; Private Label Credit Card Program; Legal Services; Website Services; Travel Discounts; Credit Union
• Educational Opportunities: Seminars and Workshops; Scholarship Programs
• Industry Related Benefits: West Coast Jewelry Show; CJA Online Newsletter; Locate a Retail Member feature on CJA Web Site; Networking Events

International Society of Appraisers
737 N Michigan Ave, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel:  (312) 981-6778; (866) 481-1689
Fax:  (312) 981-6787
Email: isa@isa-appraisers.org
www.isa-appraisers.org

• Multi-disciplined professional association dedicated to advancing the theory, principles and techniques of personal property appraising and to furthering the level of professionalism of its members in order to best serve the public’s interest.
• Offers intense, seven-day courses in appraisal theory and practice onsite in Naperville, IL and through distance education (home study). A selection of specialty courses is also available.
• Certified Appraiser of Personal Property (CAPP) is the society’s highest level of membership

Jewelers of America
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 19^th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (646) 658-0246; (800) 223-0673
Fax:  (646) 658-0256
Email: members@jewelers.org
www.jewelers.org

• Jewelers of America is the national trade association for businesses serving the fine jewelry retail marketplace. Our primary purpose is to promote consumer confidence in the jewelry industry. We help our members:
• Save money with big discounts from industry suppliers, like FedEx and Chippenhook.
• Build and promote their businesses with free and low-cost marketing materials.
• Advance their careers with discounts on education and scholarship opportunities.
• Communicate their professionalism with Sales, Management and Bench Professional Certification.
• Protect their reputations with guidance and education on important industry issues.

Jeweler’s Resource Bureau
129 Secor Lane
Pelham Manor, NY 10803
Tel:  (914) 738-8485
Fax:  (914) 738-0096
Email: Cindy@jewelersresource.com
www.jewelersresource.com

• The industry’s source for designer jewelry information, education, and support
• One-on-one consultations regarding designer marketing and promotion
• Designer databases for marketing, sales, and promotional uses
• Subscription website that offers education, information, sources, and huge library of articles on how to run a designer business as well as space available for designers to debut new products to the press and key retailers

JDPN
c/o 520 East 72nd Street
New York, NY 10021
Tel:  (212) 734-5939
Email: JDPN@optonline.net
www.JDPN.org

• Not-For-Profit
• Information Exchange
• Creative and/or Business Collaborations
• Networking
• Education
• Social and Professional Gatherings

Jewelry Information Center
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 19^th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (646) 658-0246; (800) 459-0130
Fax: (646) 658-0256
Email: info@jic.org
www.JIC.org

• The consumer education arm of Jewelers of America
• Promotes fine jewelry and watches to the consumer
• Provides consumer information on how to buy jewelry, jewelry trends, designer profiles and gift guides
• Amanda Gizzi and Helena Krodel serve as industry spokespeople for consumer media
• Runs industry wide marketing programs
• Provides marketing and public relations tools for Jewelers of America members

Jewelers Vigilance Committee
25 West 45^th Street, Suite 1406
New York, NY 10036
Tel:  (212) 997-2002
Fax:  (212) 997-9148
www.jvclegal.org

• Recognized legal guardian of the jewelry industry
• Advocates legal compliance and ethical practices
• Recipient of consumer complaints pursuant to jewelry for the U.S.
• Mediator/arbitrator for disputes that may arise involving industry members
• Anti money laundering compliance

MJSA
57 John L. Dietsch Square
Attleboro Falls, MA 02763
Tel: (401) 274-3840; (800) 444-6572
Email: info@mjsa.org
www.mjsa.org

• MJSA provides the resources for jewelry makers and designers to achieve professional excellence and maintain their competitive edge.
• Publisher of MJSA Journal magazine, MJSA Custom Design magazine, MJSA Buyers Guide, and various books through MJSA Press.
• Presenter of MJSA Expo New York trade show and MJSA At the Bench Live demonstrations at various trade shows.
• Producer of MJSA.org website, central repository for vetted guidance on jewelry making and design practices; materials and product knowledge, business management, and legislative, legal and safety issues.
• Sponsor of MJSA Vision Awards design competition, which annually celebrates outstanding jewelry designs by professionals and students.
• Founder of the MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) subsidiary of MJSA, which supports educational programs and administers The MJSA Education Foundation Scholarship Group, consisting of six permanent endowment funds for awards to students enrolled in jewelry design, jewelry making, or other jewelry-related degree programs at colleges, universities, and technical schools in U.S.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
P.O. Box 18
Rego Park, NY 11374-0018
Tel:  (718) 896-1536
Fax:  (718) 997-9057
Email: naja.appraisers@netzero.net
www.NAJAappraisers.com

• Educational Conferences (2 per year)
• The Jewelry Appraiser, quarterly magazine
• Membership Directory for networking
• Member Benefits Program (books, equipment, etc.)
• Appraisal Home Study Course
• Business Referral Program

National Pawnbrokers Association
P.O. Box 508
Keller, TX 76244
Tel:  (817) 337-8830
Fax:  (817) 337-8875
www.nationalpawnbrokers.org

• National Pawnbroker — quarterly publication on industry trends and regulations
• Pawn Expo — Annual convention and exposition
• Extensive educational programs online and at the Expo
• Legislative representation in Washington, D.C.
• Advocacy and Public Relations
• Monthly Pawn TV News
• Weekly Pawn Industry News Briefs
• Business and professional services for pawnbroker members

Platinum Guild International USA
500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5120
New York, New York 10110
Tel:  (212) 404-1600
Fax:  (212) 730-7798
Consumer Site: http://www.preciousplatinum.com
Trade Site: www.platinumguild.com

• Platinum marketing, advertising, public relations, sales and technical support to retailers, designers and manufacturers
• Platinum jewelry sales training and sales support items
• Platinum jewelry sales/marketing seminars at trade shows
• National advertising campaigns
• National retail sales training seminars
• National public relations programs

Women's Jewelry Association
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 19^th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel:  (212) 687-2722
Fax:  (646) 355-0219
Email: info@womensjewelry.org
www.womensjewelry.org

• Regional Chapters Across the US
• Networking & Educational Opportunities
• Scholarship Program
• Member Grants Program
• Mentorship Program
• Online Discussion Group
• Membership Directory
• Newsletter
• Women in the Know Business Conferences
• DIVA Design Competition & Awards Reception
• Awards for Excellence Gala