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| February 1998
Diamonds: Gemology GIA OFFERS 'DIAMOND ESSENTIALS' Quick and thorough education for busy sales associates Next month, the Gemological Institute of America will introduce "Diamond Essentials", a course designed to foster increased knowledge of and confidence in diamonds among retail jewelry sales associates. This course is written from the perspective of a jeweler and doesn't compete with GIA's gemologically intensive diamonds course, says GIA. (The more complex course will remain an important part of the Graduate Gemologist program.) "We developed this new course tailored specifically to jewelers' needs," says Brook Ellis, GIA's vice president of education. Informed and informative sales associates will help you sell more diamonds, and their education can insulate you from litigation, says GIA. A sales associate who understands the details of diamond treatment is less likely to get tripped up on disclosure issues. The course has undergone close review by jewelers, as well as within GIA. Instructors and research ex-perts reviewed the course, following its preparation by the GIA course development department. "Diamond Essentials" is offered at an introductory price of $349. Students need a minimum of three months and a maximum of 12 months to complete the correspondence course, which is fully serviced by a staff of instructors who grade assignments and answer tests. "Diamond Essentials" is not a sales course. "It is based on product information for use in selling situations," says Ellis. It has seven written assignments and a video component that shows aspects of diamonds that are difficult to describe fully in writing - such as details on sieving. It also will cover:
GIA, 5345 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008; (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001. - by Robert Weldon, G.G.
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