SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
