AGS Announces New Membership Designation

From AGS, Las Vegas, Nevada - Representatives of the American Gem Society™ announced a new membership designation for American Gem Society members who have successfully completed Jewelers of America’s Certified Bench Jeweler certification, an exam process created to assess existing expertise and knowledge, as well as the American Gem Society education requirements, during 2007 International Conclave in Denver, Colorado.

The Certified Jewelry Arts Professional designation was spearheaded by a committee chaired by David Gardner of David Gardner’s Jewelers. Gardner was one of two American Gem Society members to receive the initial CJAP designations at Conclave. Dave Lantz of MJ Harrington and Company was the other recipient. Both Gardner and Lantz hold American Gem Society titles: Certified Gemologist™ and Certified Gemologist Appraiser American Gem Society, respectively.

“Any partnership that raises the bar for the bench jeweler is a win-win for the entire jewelry industry,” said David Peters, director of education of Jewelers of America. “The JA certification coupled with the AGS designation validates the bench jewelers expertise, provides a communication vehicle to the customer, and helps build the retail jewelers repair business. JA is honored to aid in this designation process.”

While Jewelers of America’s Bench Jeweler Certification program is open to all bench jewelers in the industry, the Certified Jewelry Arts Professional designation is only available to American Gem Society members.

“Bench jeweler’s capabilities are an incredible asset and means of differentiation for the independent retailer. We are pleased to utilize JA’s education program as a prerequisite for this designation,“ said Ruth Batson, Executive Director and CEO of the American Gem Society.

The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is the international professional organization for all Registered Jewelers (RJ), Certified Gemologists (CG), Certified Gemologist Appraisers (CGA) and Independent Certified Gemologist Appraisers. Members are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their American Gem Society titles. Less than five percent of jewelers in the country have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership. For more information regarding the American Gem Society, please call 866.805.6500, or visit their website at http://www.americangemsociety.org/.