APPRAISAL WORKSHOP PLANNED IN ATLANTA

The Master Valuer Program will present an appraising workshop May 5-7 in Atlanta, Ga. It will cover valuation methods, market analyses, repairs and alterations, and valuing treated and enhanced diamonds and colored stones.

“There is only one way to have true expertise in jewelry appraising, and that is by handling materials like those you will be valuing,” says Anna Miller, G.G., program director.

There are no prerequisites. The tuition is $450. Master Valuer Program, P.O. Box 1844, Pearland, Tex. 77588; (713) 485-1606, telephone and fax.

JA ANNOUNCES CLASSES FOR 1995

The Jewelers of America Center for Business Studies has announced 12 courses in its 1995 workshop schedule.

The courses – available to all 43 state affiliates – are “Polishing Your Sales Skills,” “How to Promote Men’s Jewelry,” “How to Promote for Your Customer’s Special Occasions,” “Antique and Estate Jewelry,” “Colored Gemstones and the Lore,” “How to Take Advantage of Co-op Advertising,” “How to Promote Your Platinum Jewelry,” “How to Work with Platinum,” “Design Techniques for the Non-Designer,” “Pearl Grading Techniques,” “Gem Enhancement & Fracture-Filled Diamonds” and “How to Set Up and Run a Casting Department.”

The last five courses are part of a technical track that CBS added during the JA International Jewelry Show in New York City in February. Interested CBS students can now opt to fulfill course requirements for the technical track in place of the personal enrichment track. Students need 120 Jewelers Continuing Education units and a final project to earn JA’s Accredited Jewelers Designation. Ten of those are required in the technical track.

Entry-level training: CBS also offers a 10-part training series titled “The Professional Jeweler: Entry-Level Training for the New Hire.” The series covers the fundamentals of working as a jewelry sales associate from inventory to customer service, from security to basic selling techniques, from precious gemstones to precious metals. “The program can be used independently by a single employee or in a classroom by a trainer,” says Gina DeHaan, JA’s director of education. “It was designed to give each store some flexibility – that’s why each module can stand on its own.”

Each kit includes 11 bound books in a sturdy loose-leaf binder as well as a leader’s guide. The program was developed by Ginger Dick, a freelance magazine writer and 30-year veteran of the jewelry business, reviewed by a panel of retail jewelers and edited by DeHaan. The cost is $39.95 for JA members, $79.95 for non-members.

“There is a great need for basic training in the industry,” says JA Chairman Michael D. Roman. “Although tremendous amounts of training materials exist, until now no one has put it all together in one complete package.”

Jewelers of America, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, 30 Fl., New York, N.Y. 10036; (212) 768-8777.

GIA SCHEDULES GRADUATE CLASSES

The Gemological Institute of America has announced the dates of its six-month Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler programs for 1995.

The starting dates for the G.G. program at GIA’s Santa Monica, Cal., campus are April 27, May 11, June 15, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Oct. 5 and Nov. 2. The G.J. program begins March 9 and Aug. 29.

The starting dates at the New York City campus are May 11, Sept. 14 and Oct. 26 for the G.G. program and May 11, Aug. 24 and Oct. 5 for the G.J.

The G.G. program includes GIA’s “Diamonds” and “Colored Stones” courses, which may be taken separately; the G.J. program includes “Metal Working,” “Repair,” “Stone Setting,” “Fabrication” and “Counter Sketching.”

YWCA OFFERS JEWELRY CLASSES

The YWCA of New York City will offer four workshops on jewelry beginning in June.

“Jewelry – All Levels,” 6-9 p.m. Mondays from June 5 to July 24; “Jewelry – Intermediate/Advanced,” 2-5 or 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays from June 6 to Aug. 1; “Basic Jewelry – All Levels,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6-9 p.m.Wednesdays from June 7 to July 26; and “Enameling on Metal,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 6-9 p.m. Thursdays June 8 to July 27. The cost is $125 for the first course, $145 for the other three.

YWCA of New York City, 610 Lexington Ave., New York, N.Y. 10022-6053; (212) 735-9731.

JEWELERS CLASSES SET AT BROOKFIELD

The Brookfield Craft Center, a non-academic arts and crafts center in Brookfield, Conn., offers two classes of interest to jewelers in its spring schedule.

“Jewelrymaking” will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays from April 13 to May 18 ($220 for members, $310 for non-members) and 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays from April 11 to May 30 ($285, $310).

“Jewelry Repairs” is scheduled for 7-10 p.m. Thursdays from April 13 to June 1 ($285, $310).

Brookfield Craft Center, P.O. Box 122, Brookfield, Conn. 06804; (203) 775-4526.

ROCHESTER TO HOST MINERALOGICAL SYMPOSIUM

The 22nd annual Rochester Mineralogical Symposium will be held April 6-9 in the Radisson Inn Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.

Topics to be discussed include “U.S. Mineralogy in the 19th Century Without Dana,” “Mineralogy of Micrometeorites,” “Origin of Pegmatites,” “Reminiscences on Great Minerals,” “What’s New in Minerals,” “How Do We Know What We Know: a Look at Data,” “Emerald Mining in North Carolina” and “Gem Mining In Brazil.”

A silent auction will raise money toward future symposiums. For information and registration, call Helen Chamberlain at (315) 682-6023.