CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
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
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
