For the first time ever, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will teach its Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) diploma program in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The program, which takes place Oct. 25–29, will be conducted in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning (UVICELL) Center, and those who enroll will receive a free one-year membership in the GIA Alumni Association’s newly formed Caribbean Islands Chapter.

The A.J.P. diploma program focuses exclusively on product knowledge and sales techniques in its three short courses: Jewelry Essentials, Colored Stone Essentials, and Diamond Essentials.

For more information about GIA, visit www.gia.edu. To take advantage of this one-time opportunity in St. Thomas, call UVICELL at (340) 693-1100, e-mail: cell@uvi.edu , Web site: http://cell.uvi.edu .