Expanding your offerings with our
professional affiliations and partnerships!
GemFind has established memberships, affiliations
and partnerships with these organizations as part of it's
continuing effort to provide the widest range of benefits
and value-added services to our members. To discuss some of
the unique, cost-effective ways that GemFind can increase
your sales, contact us today.
American
Gem Trade Association (AGTA)
The American Gem
Trade Association (AGTA) is an association of North American
trade professionals dedicated to promoting the long term stability
and integrity of the natural colored gemstone, pearl, and
cultured pearl industry. The association 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. The AGTA is well
known in the gem and jewelry industries for maintaining the
highest ethical standards. A member of AGTA abides by AGTA's
Code of Ethics that is of a higher standard than required
by the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Jewelry Industry
on disclosing colored gemstone enhancements. Working with
an AGTA Member is like having a gemstone consultant at your
fingertips.
The AGTA Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) is the natural
colored gemstone industry's premier independent laboratory.
The AGTA GTC serves the industry and the public with a complete
range of services, including gemstone identification, origin
determination and pearl identification. The laboratory is
equipped with the latest, technologically advanced, investigative
equipment.
The AGTA sponsors some of the most important annual events
in the gem and jewelry industry:
The annual AGTA GemFair in Tucson, Arizona is arguably the
most important gemstone tradeshow in the world. Fostering
the promotion and sale of natural colored gemstones and cultured
pearls, AGTA GemFair features an unrivaled array of gem materials
as well as an extensive lineup of educational seminars and
events. AGTA GemFair attracts gemstone buyers from all corners
of the world.
The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition is an annual natural
colored gemstone jewelry design competition recognizing the
creative use of natural colored gemstones in jewelry designs
done by North American and international designers. Cutting
Edge Awards is a competition that both acknowledges and celebrates
lapidary artistry. Annually, the competition does a great
deal to promote the beauty and diversity of natural colored
gemstones and to honor the skill of the lapidary artist. Visit
the
American Gem Trade Association website .
American Gem Society (AGS)
Only a small percentage of those who apply for membership
in the American Gem Society are awarded membership. In order
for a firm to become a member of the American Gem Society
they must meet the following criteria:
The firm owners, principals, or employees must have a high
level of gemological knowledge. This includes having studied
and completed the diamonds course from the GIA.
The firm must hold a reputation for unquestioned integrity
in the business community and must be operated in a way that
will enhance the confidence of the public in the jewelry industry.
The owners and principals must demonstrate that they are genuinely
interested in high business ethics and the firm exemplifies
this belief.
The firm must be a retail or supplier jewelry business that
has been established for at least two years and has demonstrated
financial stability.
In an industry that provides little accreditation, the American
Gem Society awards titles declaring members as skilled professionals
upon completion of stringent gemological examinations and
re-certifications. For you the consumer, this means AGS provides
professional and trustworthy retail jewelers. A jeweler, who
advertises their AGS membership as Registered Jeweler (RJ),
Certified Gemologist (CG), Certified Gemologist Appraiser
(CGA), or Certified Sales Associate (CSA), is separated from
their competition as the true and trusted gemologically trained
expert. These AGS titles are renewed annually and members
are required to uphold the gemological and ethical standards
established by AGS. Visit the American
Gem Society website
California Jewelers
Association (CJA)
Founded in 1933 the California Jewelers Association (CJA)
is the largest state jewelry
association in the United States. Nearly 1,500 CJA Members
(prominent retail jewelers throughout the state of California,
as well as designers, manufacturers and service providers
throughout the world) are currently enjoying the many outstanding
benefits and services that membership provides – all
available to CJA Members at exclusive pricing. As a member
of CJA, we support efforts to promote and protect our industry
in California and across the nation. Membership in CJA offers
us the opportunity to enhance our experience and knowledge
to better serve you. Visit the California
Jewelers Association website
