Diamond Council of America Unveils New The Diamond Course at JCK Las Vegas
Diamontologist course remains the Most Affordable, Highest Quality Education
Nashville, Tennessee: In an effort to continue to provide the best possible communication to members and new member prospects to its members, the Diamond Council of America (DCA) will again participate in the JCK Las Vegas Jewelry Show, June 1-5, 2001. "We are thrilled to be able to participate in this important show and to visit with our members and new prospective members", said Terry Chandler, President of DCA. "The industry is changing on many fronts - sources, supply channels, treatments, synthetics, cut, grading - we are proud to offer retail jewelry salespeople the highest-quality, most affordable educational tool to increase their knowledge, and, therefore, their sales. This will be a meaningful time to communicate with the industry and explain DCA's goals and commitments to the industry"
The Diamond Council's new The Diamond Course was written by respected jewelry education writers from Performance Concepts headquartered in Olympia, Washington. It was founded in 1995 to meet the education, training and business development needs of the jewelry industry. Its principals, Janice Mack Talcott and Kate B. Peterson, combine nearly fifty years of experience in gemology, sales, operations, management, training, curriculum design, course development, adult learning and technology.
The The Diamond Course presents a complete discussion on the subject of diamonds in twenty-one lessons divided into three general sections. The first part of the course provides the essential information associates need to be professional and honest in a sales presentation - the 4 C's of color, clarity, cutting and carat weight, diamond treatments, synthetic diamonds and facts about diamond jewelry.
The second part provides important background information such as where diamonds come from, how they're mined and processed, how they're cut and how they come to market.
The third part of the course teaches the jewelry store skills related to diamonds - how to clean diamond jewelry, how to display diamond jewelry, how to present diamonds, the selling tools, the selling process, customer service and professionalism.
"We at DCA anticipate that this new and improved course will, like the former course, serve as an approved prerequisite to GIA's Diamond Grading Course," said Chandler. "Preliminary discussions have already taken place."
"We are looking forward to showing our current members and potential new members the commitment to quality that DCA makes," says Chandler. DCA is exhibiting at JCK Las Vegas, showcasing its new look through a custom-designed booth displayed in the Mezzanine of the Convention Center, at booth location #113.
Interactive DCA
The Diamond Council's interactive web site, www.diamondcouncil.org, will be available at the show for viewing. The site gives visitors information about DCA, lets them ask questions about membership, offers course descriptions, and allows visitors direct links to web sites of other DCA members. "Our web site allows for easier and better access to the DCA," says Chandler. "If there is something you want to know about the DCA - be it information on becoming a member, taking the new The Diamond Course, or just finding out about our history or scholarship programs - we'll be able to tell you what you need to know with just a few clicks of a mouse."
The Diamond Council of America, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, was founded in 1944 as a foundation to educate jewelry sales professionals about diamonds and gems. The organization provides the professional jeweler with an opportunity to earn certification in diamonds and gemstones, and gives salespeople the knowledge and training necessary to make them successful. Today, the DCA represents more than 2,200 independent and chain retail jewelry stores and leading suppliers of diamonds and gems across the country.