EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Brought to you by
Why Every Bench Jeweler Should Be Certified
Professional certification is a win-win proposition for everyone involved and can help jewelers attract more profits and customers. So why aren’t you certified yet?
Brought To You By Jewelers of America
Professional certification has become so closely linked to higher levels of quality and performance that many consumers have considerable reluctance using products or services unless the professionals and companies selling them have invested the time to become a certified professional within their field.
Consider this: Would you trust a doctor who wasn’t certified to repair a broken bone? Or use an accountant that isn’t a certified public accountant to prepare your tax returns? Probably not, right?
Since so much of the jewelry industry’s customer interaction is reliant on trust, professional certification for jewelers is an idea whose time has come.
If any of the following applies to you, than an industry certification could be the right fit:
- A desire to advance your career through a promotion or greater salary
- Want to attract new customers through the certification program’s marketing or directories
- Need a better way to communicate your skills without going back to school
- Would like to differentiate yourself from other jewelers who have similar education credentials, like Graduate Gemologists
Professional certification often recognizes that you have a specialized form of training and technical knowledge in a specific field, and designates a level of competence in the field based on pre-determined standards. Unlike a professional educational degree, certification tests knowledge and skills you already possess and requires commitment of much less time.
So, how can jewelers leverage the benefits of certification?
Jewelers of America, the leading association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace, offers professional certification for jewelers that assesses sales, management and bench skills. The JA Professional Certification program, established two decades ago, validates jewelry craftsmanship, knowledge and proficiency.
“Being a certified jeweler is an important designation. There is a fundamental difference between a JA Certified Professional and someone who just happens to make or sell jewelry. Most importantly it shows consumers they can buy with confidence from the jewelry professional.” -Jewelers of America President & CEO David J. Bonaparte
Professional certification is a win-win proposition for everyone involved. It allows consumers to make positive assumptions about your jewelry business, and the way you conduct it, that gives them peace of mind.
It also provides you with strategic advantages over your competition. Moving a jewelry customer from the sales floor to the cash register is easier when you don’t have to spend inordinate amounts of time proving to your customers that you are educated, honest, professional and committed to ethics. This alone should be reason enough to become a certified professional, but there are many others.
It also provides you with strategic advantages over your competition. Moving a jewelry customer from the sales floor to the cash register is easier when you don’t have to spend inordinate amounts of time proving to your customers that you are educated, honest, professional and committed to ethics. This alone should be reason enough to become a certified professional, but there are many others.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
For one, it offers additional marketing exposure. “Advertising my certification has made a tremendous difference in the quality of jewelry that comes into our store. I get to pick and choose the items I want to work on. Choosing to become certified was one of the best decisions I ever made,” says Tom Weishaar, Master Goldsmith, Underwood’s Fine Jewelry.
Professional Certification benefits a business by publicly demonstrating your store’s commitment to professionalism, thereby increasing the jewelry store’s credibility with customers. Additional promotional benefits include listings in professional directories and a newsworthy reason to promote yourself or your store. JA Certified Professionals are highlighted in JA’s Find a Jeweler Directory and receive press exposure to their local press outlets.
Another benefit is the ability to clearly communicate your expertise and skill level. Jewelers who have passed the JA Professional Certification exams at various levels often find the exam challenging, but express a sense of satisfaction and achievement after they receive their certification. They display the certificate with pride.
“As a business owner, one of the program’s advantages is the ability to show new customers my professional credentials: framed on the wall are my JA Bench Professional Jeweler certification and GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma. Certification conveys to new customers a sense of trust that you’re a professional and you know and care about what you’re doing,” says Cindy Crounse, owner, Refined Designs.
In the near future, customers won’t just look for their jeweler to be certified – they will demand it. Make sure you stay ahead of the curve by certifying your skills through a professional organization like Jewelers of America.
For more information on professional certification through Jewelers of America, visit www.jewelers.org/certification.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
