Affiliations
Would you trust your jewellery to just anybody? Of course not! Whether you have a financial or emotional attachment to your jewellery, you want to make sure you know what you are purchasing and that you are getting a fair deal. As in any industry, there are always going to be people who might take advantage of the consumer’s lack of knowledge when it comes to the jewellery market. That is why it is important to have confidence in who you are purchasing your precious jewellery items from – you must be able to trust your jeweller. Grandis Jewellers has been in business for over 100 years. Through honesty, integrity and transparency, we take pride in our education and aim to uphold a high standard of ethics. We believe in educating our consumer, and making sure everyone who comes to us leaves with the knowledge and confidence that their purchase was fair. Most of all, we want them to have a great jewellery shopping experience. There are many organizations to which the jewellery industry turns for knowledge, consistency, and market values. Grandis Jewellers is proud to be a member of several prestigious organizations which create the industry standards for pricing, grading, appraising and ethics. Here is an overview of some of the programs and organizations with which the knowledgeable team at Grandis Jewellers affiliates themselves with for training, education, support and expert advice on the many facets that make up the jewellery industry.
Certified Gemmologist Appraiser Program (American Gem Society):
How do you become a Certified Gemologist Appraiser? First of all you must be a graduate gemmologist. Then you must be a member of the American Gem Society (AGS). This in itself is a major hurdle because the AGS routinely accepts only about 20 per cent of all applicants. After further testing, the applicant then becomes a certified gemmologist by AGS standards. The applicant must then keep an accredited gem lab (once again, to AGS standards). This includes keeping certified master comparison diamonds, a gem microscope, special lighting, a computerized database and a current gem library…. Then the applicant qualifies to write the exams. The exam itself consists of three parts.
First, there is a colour vision test. This identifies any shortcomings or variations in the applicant’s vision. Secondly, there is a written examination. Testing includes such topics as insurance policy, proper expert witness procedure (should their expertise be needed in court), estate laws, valuation techniques, gemmological oddities and market variables. Third comes the hard part. There is a six-hour exam in the lab. Each applicant is given nine pieces of jewellery for appraisal. Each piece has to be exactly identified and evaluated for different market uses (i.e. Insurance, probate or estate purposes). Each market has to be researched thoroughly. The lab notes are then taken home where the applicant generates the proper appraisal documentation. Even the documentation is graded for accuracy, legality and professionalism.
To maintain the title, there is a yearly meeting of all the Certified Gemmologist Appraisers (CGA) in North America where new research and legalities are discussed. Each CGA is also tested each and every year to maintain their title and to keep their knowledge and skills current. Appraising fine jewellery is not something that should be trusted to travelling appraisal shows, or by less qualified gemologists with questionable appraisal skills. A gemmologist and an appraiser are not the same thing. True, you have to be a gemmologist to identify a piece and for that there should be an accredited lab, but that has nothing to do with evaluating or verifying a piece. Appraisal skill requires a far greater depth of knowledge.
Reg Grandis of Grandis Jewellers in Petrolia has long been recognized for his professionalism and integrity. Now he is recognized internationally as one of the best. Grandis was among the top 10 per cent of this year’s applicants and has been awarded the prestigious title of certified gemmologist appraiser by the AGS. He is one of only 13 in all of Canada.
American Gem Society:
- The American Gem Society (AGS) was founded in 1934, for the purpose of making it easier and safer to buy jewelry.
- AGS provides a list of knowledgeable and reputable retailers so consumers can shop with confidence, as well as diamond education resources.
- The American Gem Society was formed by top jewelers, and their like-minded partners, who want to protect consumers and to ensure that all members are trustworthy and dedicated to protecting consumers.
- Only 1 out of every 20 jewelers opt to meet the qualifications for membership into the jewelry association.
- Applications are peer reviewed.
- Annual re-certification to maintain membership.
Source: http:// www.americangemsociety.org/
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Alumni Association:
- The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls.
- Established in 1931, GIA exists to protect all purchasers of gemstones, by providing the education, laboratory services, research, and instruments needed to accurately and objectively determine gemstone quality.
- A nonprofit institute, GIA’s mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism through education, research, laboratory services, and instrument development.
- GIA is where students from all over the world build successful careers in the gem and jewelry field. The Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma, which focuses on gem grading and identification, is the industry’s highest professional credential.
- Since the 1930s, GIA researchers have made numerous breakthrough contributions to our understanding of gems GIA developed the 4Cs and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™ to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds.
Source: http://www.gia.edu/about-gia/index.html
Master IJO Jewelers:
- Master IJO Jewelers are an elite group of retailers hand-selected for membership in the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO).
- IJO is an organization which only accepts jewelers with the highest ethical standards and superior professional integrity.
- Provides marketing and educational opportunities to over 1,000 members worldwide.
- Master IJO Jewelers adhere to an ethical code-of-conduct offering the honesty, trust, integrity and “Brilliance You Deserve”® that no other jeweler can provide.
Source: http://www.ijo.com/
Canadian Jewelers Association:
- The CJA is the voice of the Canadian jewellery industry, providing leadership in ethics, education and communication.
- Promotes consumer trust and assists members in following best business practices.
- CJA’s vision is to recognize the CJA logo and tag line when visiting a Canadian jewellery store and associate it with a 13-point Code of Ethics, integrity and honesty.
Source: http://www.canadianjewellers.com/about-us-info-pages.asp
Diamond Development Global Initiative (DDII):
DDII Mission Statement: To gather all interested parties into a process that will address, in a comprehensive way, the political, social and economic challenges facing the artisanal diamond mining sector in order to optimize the beneficial development impact of artisanal diamond mining to miners and their communities within the countries in which the diamonds are mined. DDII's primary objectives are:
- To gather and disseminate information on artisanal diamond mining.
- To promote better understanding of, and possible solutions for:
- Government regulation and mining regulation.
- Distribution and marketing channels.
- Organizational aspects of artisanal production.
- Legitimate and transparent distribution channels.
- Organization among artisanal miners.
- Free and open markets for artisanally mined diamonds.
- To promote wide participation in the process, including governments, donors and industry and development organizations.
Source: www.Ddiglobal.org
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA):
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) is an association of United States and Canadian trade professionals dedicated to promoting the long-term stability and integrity of the natural colored gemstone and Cultured Pearl industries.
- AGTA pursues its goals through the combined use of educational programs, publicity, industry events, government and industry relations, and printed materials for both the trade and consumer.
- AGTA is well-known in the gemstone and jewelry industries for maintaining the highest ethical standards.
- Protects the natural colored gemstone and Cultured Pearl industries, related industries, and ultimately the consumer from fraud, abuse, misrepresentation, and deceptive advertising related to natural coloured gemstones.
- Assists consumers in identifying dealers of integrity in the natural colored gemstone and Cultured Pearl industries.