GIA, Jewelers of America Form Strategic Partnership

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and Jewelers of America have agreed to work together on a variety of projects, starting in 2009, to better fulfill the missions of both nonprofit organizations and directly benefit their constituencies, the two announced Thursday.

As a result, GIA will give Jewelers of America members special access to GIA’s professional education in gemology, business management, sales professionalism and bench jeweler training and make much of its curricula available online.

Jewelers of America will contribute its expertise in the certification of bench jewelers and work with GIA’s Jewelry Arts Program to promote elements of the Jewelers of America Bench Professional Certification program.

Jewelers of America will also share its expertise in public and national government affairs with GIA.

Along with the programs mentioned above, GIA and Jewelers of America also plan to cooperate in career development and attracting more and better job candidates to the jewelry industry.