The Colored Gemstone Course
The new DCA Colored Gemstone Course brings learning to life for the front line sales associate. This distance education course is designed so that the student learns and applies new information from the onset. As bits of knowledge are presented, the course describes how to use them in sales and everyday store operations. Through practice modules and exercises, the student develops skills along with knowledge.
The Colored Gemstone Course presents a broad but inclusive discussion of colored gemstones and pearls in sixteen lessons divided into three general sections. The first part of the course provides the essential information associates need to be professional and honest in sales presentation - the different types of gem materials (natural, treated and laboratory-grown), the 4 C's of value, size and durability factors, the importance of color in a person's life, the different types of colored gemstone jewelry and the concepts of designer and branded lines. There are also two comprehensive lessons on pearls. The second part provides important background information like where colored gemstones come from, how they're mined and processed, how they're identified, how they're cut and how they come to market. The third part of the course teaches the jewelry store skills related to colored gemstones and pearls- - how to clean gemstone jewelry, how to display colored gem jewelry, how to present colored gemstones, the selling tools, the selling process, customer service and professionalism. The course also provides the associate with a handy "counter compendium" - a brief encyclopedia of the colored gem world designed for use with customers at the counter.
The new DCA Colored Gemstone Course is presented in 4-color, easy-to-read format, augmented with numerous photographs, charts and other graphics. The course is delivered by distance education, and may be taken at the student's own pace; 6-12 months is the anticipated completion time, although students may easily finish it in less time.