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NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center
The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
The Diamond Learning Center includes more than 20 short-form videos to educate salespeople on frequently asked diamond questions, four in-depth modules with certifications of achievement, training workshops, and other resources.
New York—The Natural Diamond Council has launched its not-for-profit Diamond Learning Center, coinciding with April being Diamond Month.
The program was created to educate jewelry salespeople on how to clearly distinguish the value propositions across natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and diamond simulants to their customers.
It is the first free one-stop, mobile-friendly program geared toward new and seasoned diamond jewelry professionals and enthusiasts, said NDC, and is meant as a complement or primer to technical diamond education.
It is comprised of à la carte, flexible content in a variety of mediums for different learning styles, from videos to infographics and self-quizzes.
There are more than 20 short-form videos, ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes, where industry experts teach viewers how to answer frequently asked diamond questions.
Four in-depth modules are available with learners receiving certifications of achievement for each one. The 20-to-30-minute modules will give learners a comprehensive understanding of diamonds that extend beyond the 4Cs.
The modules include, “Differences Between Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds,” “The Allure of Diamonds,” “The History of Diamonds,” and “Debunking Diamond Myths and Facts.”
The Diamond Learning Center also offers “train the trainer” workshops and facilitator guides designed by natural diamond experts for store or training managers.
There are also additional resources available, including research and reports, diamond news and trends, and free downloadable social, digital, and point-of-sale assets.
A directory of complementary and technical third-party education resources from supporting industry institutions is also available in the program.
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The program was created to educate jewelry salespeople on how to clearly distinguish the value propositions across natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and diamond simulants to their customers.
It is the first free one-stop, mobile-friendly program geared toward new and seasoned diamond jewelry professionals and enthusiasts, said NDC, and is meant as a complement or primer to technical diamond education.
It is comprised of à la carte, flexible content in a variety of mediums for different learning styles, from videos to infographics and self-quizzes.
There are more than 20 short-form videos, ranging from 30 seconds to three minutes, where industry experts teach viewers how to answer frequently asked diamond questions.
Four in-depth modules are available with learners receiving certifications of achievement for each one. The 20-to-30-minute modules will give learners a comprehensive understanding of diamonds that extend beyond the 4Cs.
The modules include, “Differences Between Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds,” “The Allure of Diamonds,” “The History of Diamonds,” and “Debunking Diamond Myths and Facts.”
The Diamond Learning Center also offers “train the trainer” workshops and facilitator guides designed by natural diamond experts for store or training managers.
There are also additional resources available, including research and reports, diamond news and trends, and free downloadable social, digital, and point-of-sale assets.
A directory of complementary and technical third-party education resources from supporting industry institutions is also available in the program.
The Diamond Learning Center is a program created from an education roundtable that recognized confusion and bias across several retail segments selling diamond jewelry and the subsequent detriment—current and potential—to the industry overall, said NDC.
While NDC lead the program, there was leadership representing the entire value chain. This includes support from AGS, De Beers, Diamex, Fischer Diamonds, Gabriel & Co., GIA, IDMA, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Mutual, Premier Gem, and Shane Co.
“It has been wonderful working with the Natural Diamond Council to create tools and education to help train our jewelry consultants on the history, allure, and benefits of natural diamonds and the unique differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds,” said Price Blanchard, chief customer officer at Shane Co.
“The lack of education in the industry has created a bias towards lab-grown diamonds and a more educated sales team will help customers understand the rarity and value of natural diamonds so they have a well-rounded education to help them pick the best diamond for them. By educating customers, we expect to see more natural diamond sales.”
For more information and to access the Diamond Learning Center, visit its website.
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