WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
MajorsJun 07, 2017
JA Inks Affiliation Agreement with the DCA
The boards of Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America have approved an agreement that aligns the two organizations.
Las Vegas--This week in Las Vegas, the boards of Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America approved an affiliation agreement that aligns the two long-standing organizations.
Approved Tuesday by JA’s board and Wednesday by the DCA’s, the agreement provides JA an accredited education arm and gives the DCA, which is a small nonprofit, access to JA’s more substantial resources.
Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte said he and DCA CEO Terry Chandler started having a conversation about the two organizations working more closely together back in 2015.
He said that rather than expand on JA’s education offerings, he though it smarter to partner with an organization that’s already “doing it and doing it well.”
“Education is vital,” Bonaparte said. “What we saw DCA doing was so important.”
Under the agreement, JA will continue to offer its Professional Certification Programs in sales, management and bench, but will look at how the DCA education platform can help JA bring the sales and management programs online. (The affiliation will not impact JA bench certification.)
JA will discontinue “Jewelry 101,” replacing it with the DCA’s Beginning Jewelry Sales course.
For the DCA, Chandler said the agreement aligns his association with a “well-placed” organization in JA, gives them access to more resources and allows him to cut costs by closing the DCA’s Nashville office.
It also gives him a long-range plan for the future of an association that provides a vital service in an industry about which he is very passionate.
“This is a stunning industry,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s shrinking; I don’t care if it’s difficult. This is a lovely way to make a living.”
Chandler, who has headed the DCA for 18 years, will remain on board as CEO, though longtime Director of Operations Lissa Roussel has opted to leave the association to spend more time with her children.
Chandler will remain in his position for a minimum of two years. During that time, the DCA will select an executive director who eventually will take over the association’s day-to-day operations.
In the meantime, he will continue to report to the DCA board, which now will include Bonaparte, but will close the association’s Nashville office. The DCA’s official headquarters will relocated to JA’s office at 120 Broadway in New York.
While the boards of both organizations approved the affiliation this week, DCA members also have to approve it. That vote is
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
expected to take place in mid-July.
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission also must approve the affiliation; the DEAC vote is scheduled to take place Aug. 3.
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission also must approve the affiliation; the DEAC vote is scheduled to take place Aug. 3.
More on Majors
The Latest
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
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.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
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.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
