CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
OtherAug 06, 2014
DCA initiative aims to build future of industry
The Diamond Council of America is launching a new program to drum up interest in the jewelry industry for a new generation by making its classes available to high school students and link graduates with employers.
The pilot program for the Diamond Council of America’s Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative took place at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Ga., which is part of the metro Atlanta area, during the 2013-2014 school year.
Nashville, Tenn.--The Diamond Council of America is launching a new program to drum up interest in the jewelry industry for a new generation by making its classes available to high school students and link graduates with employers.
The DCA’s Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative licenses high schools to offer classes that incorporate DCA courses, and introduces the participants to multiple aspects of the jewelry industry, from courses in diamonds, colored gemstones and jewelry sales, to industry speakers and hands-on projects.
Under the program, school districts join DCA as associate members, where they will pay annual fees for membership and the right to use DCA’s courses. Once a district is licensed, the schools within it can choose any of the DCA’s regular courses and enroll as many students as they’d like.
To get started at a new school, a teacher must first complete one of the DCA courses, and then use it for teaching one or more classes of students. Students will learn lessons and work with support materials in an online format.
After successfully completing a course from the DCA and passing the exam, students will receive a certificate. They also have the option of being added to the JCR Initiative database, which will act like a “permanent referral service,” the DCA said.
Once a student is in the database, there are two ways in which it can be used: if the student applies for a job, he or she can authorize prospective employers to have access to the records, or if a potential employer is seeking candidates and a student already has given permission, DCA can provide his or her name and contact information to the employer.
To help grow the JCR Initiative, DCA has named Suzan Alexander Weir as the point person and representative for the high school initiative. Weir has more than 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry, is diamond- and colored gemstone-certified by the DCA and holds a graduate gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America.
The pilot program for the initiative, which took place at Woodstock High School in Georgia, graduated 52 students during the 2013-2014 school year, and “responses from everyone connected with the program--students, teachers, and administrators--were overwhelmingly positive,” Weir said.
This year, she will begin an effort to launch and grow the program starting with the state of Georgia, identifying, contacting, and making presentations to district school boards and administrators.
DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler said that he believes the JCR initiative “will help ensure the future of (the jewelry) industry” as it sparks interest in young people and creates a fresh flow of sales people. The program also has proven to be a new way to get jewelers involved in their community, according to the DCA.
More on Other
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
