JUERGENS & ANDERSEN OFFERS STRINGING LESSONS

Juergens & Andersen Co. will offer private pearl stringing lessons May 30-June 4 in Las Vegas, Nev. The company says it will teach time- and money-saving stringing techniques in 45-minute classes by appointment only.

Juergens & Anderson Co., 55 E. Washington St., Chicago, Ill. 60602-2180; (800) 621-8333 or (312) 782-5100, fax (312) 782-0048.

GIA RECEIVES DONATION FOR DESIGN CLASSES

The Gemological Institute of America has received a $10,000 check from the Blenheim Group USA, producer of the JA International Jewelry Shows. The money will be used for jewelry design classes.

“The JA International Jewelry Shows have always supported new designers,” says Mort Abelson, senior adviser to the show. “This donation will foster creativity and support young talent.”

BELGIANS ANNOUNCE MEXICAN CONFERENCE

The Belgian diamond trade will explore the possibilities for cooperative ventures with Mexico during the Antwerp Diamond Conference, scheduled June 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico City, Mexico.

The conference is sponsored by the Diamond High Council, the Belgian diamond trade federation, and is open only to representatives of the diamond and jewelry industries. The conference is supported by the Embassy of Belgium, the Economic Representation of Flanders and Mexican trade associations.

The program will cover such topics as market updates, product knowledge, new technologies in diamond processing and treatments, synthetic diamonds and differences in grading systems.

During the conference, Diamond High Council officials will meet with Mexican trade representatives to discuss possible cooperation. The council, for example, is prepared to organize Spanish courses on diamond grading and identification or on European diamond jewelry design in Mexico.

CANADIAN INSTITUTE SCHEDULES CLASSES

The Canadian Jewellers Institute offers a brochure detailing its 1996 course schedule. Topics include gold, other metals, watches, diamonds, colored stones, pearls and selling skills.

Canadian Jewellers Institute, 20 Eglinton Ave W., Suite 1108, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1K8, Canada; (416) 480-1424, fax (416) 480-2342.

FOCUS ON RUSSIA/DE BEERS AT GIA ALUMNI MEETING

Russia will be the topic of discussion at a dinner meeting of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association scheduled for 6-9 p.m. April 2 at the National Arts Club in New York City.

Guest lecturer Guido Giovannini-Torelli, editor of Diamond Insight magazine, will present “The Russian Conundrum: An Update on the Laborious Negotiations for the Renewal of the Marketing Contract Between the Russian Diamond Industry and De Beers.”

For reservations, contact GIAAA Secretary Gail B. Levine at (718) 897-7305, fax (718) 997-9057.

PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR ANTIQUE JEWELRY COURSE

The 17th annual Antique and Period Jewelry and Gemstone Course will be held July 17-21 at the University of Maine in Orono.

Joyce Jonas, a historian, appraiser and lecturer, is course director. Jonas is adjunct assistant professor of art, coordinator of jewelry courses and director of jewelry conferences at New York University. She also is president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians and serves on committees of various antique and jewelry organizations.

Special presentations include “Factors that Influence Pricing,” “Jewelry as a Decorative Art,” “Mythologies and Legends of Gemstones,” “European Wrist Watches,” “Political Jewelry,” “Eighteenth Century Jewelry,” “Fashion’s Impact on Gems – Art Nouveau Through Art Deco,” “Jewels from the Indian Continent – 18th-20th Centuries,” “Great French Jewelers,” “The Evolution of Costume Jewelry,” “Jewelry of the 1930s” and “20th Century Timeline.”

In addition, 40 seminars on numerous aspects of antique and period jewelry will be presented throughout the course. Other activities include an auction, “Ask the Experts/Show and Tell” and “Dealers’ Day.”

Tuition is $285; special rates on rooms and air fare are available. For a free brochure listing the lecture and seminar schedule, faculty, fees and registration information, contact Joyce Jonas & Associates Inc., 215 E. 80 St., Suite Five-L, New York, N.Y. 10021-0539; (212) 535-2479, fax (212) 988-0721.

JA ANNOUNCES NEW SLATE OF STATE AFFILIATE CLASSES

The Jewelers of America Center for Business Studies offers a new spectrum of seminars to its 42 state affiliate organizations.

“The CBS Affiliate Program was designed to reach a broad base of JA members by bringing educational programs to state meetings,” says Gina DeHaan, JA’s director of education. “JA members who are serious about adding strength to their businesses will no doubt benefit from these workshops.”

The 16 seminars available this year are: “How to Turn Red into Black,” “Getting Your Next Customer While Keeping Those You Have,” “Polishing Your Sales Skills,” “How to Build Customer Loyalty Through Customer Service,” “How To Promote for Your Customer’s Special Occasions,” “How To Promote Your Store Image,” “Understanding the Role of the Internet in the Jewelry Business,” “Colored Gemstones and the Lore,” “Antique and Estate Jewelry,” “How To Take Advantage of Co-op Advertising,” “Pearl Sales Technical Workshop for the Frontliner,” “Selling Pearls Using the Quality Reference System,” “Design Techniques for the Non-Designer,” “Wax Modeling Clinic,” “How to Work With Platinum” and “Channel Setting Made Easy.”

JA Center for Business Studies, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, 30 Fl., New York, N.Y. 10036; (800) 223-0673 or (212) 768-8777.

CERTIFICATION COUNCIL SCHEDULES CSM EXAMS

The Jewelers’ Certification Council will offer its Certified Store Manager exam at four locations the remainder of the year:

• Lincoln City, Ore., during the Oregon Jewelers Association spring conference May 17-19. Call OSJA at (503) 242-2553 for details.

• New York, N.Y., during the JA International Jewelry Show July 20-23. Call JA at (800) 223-0673 or (212) 768-8777.

• Los Angeles, Cal., during the Pacific Jewelry Show/West Coast Regional Conference Aug. 24-26. Call the California Jewelers Association at (213) 623-5722.

• Honolulu, Hawaii, during the Hawaii Jewelers Convention Oct. 26-27. Call HJA at (808) 988-3443.

The CSM exam evaluates basic knowledge of products, inventory levels and mix, pricing, special-order handling, use of signs and displays, vendor and store catalogs, promotional material, warranties and security. To receive a CSM certificate, a person must pass the exam and have at least one year of jewelry store management experience or owner/manager experience in the past five years.

Jewelers’ Certification Council, c/o Jewelers of America, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, 30 Fl., New York, N.Y. 10036; (800) 223-0673 or (212) 768-8777.

GIA CATALOG HIGHLIGHTS LEARN-AT-HOME COURSES

A new catalog of learn-at-home courses is available from the Gemological Institute of America.

The catalog highlights GIA’s new “Insurance Replacement Appraisal” course. The course covers such topics as determining value, preparing written insurance appraisal documents, ethical dilemmas, how insurance companies manage the replacement process, criteria for a good appraisal, appropriate methodology, the underwriting process, creating accurate word pictures of the jewelry you appraise, electronic and photographic record-keeping, and key tools for appraising.

GIA, P.O. Box 2110, Santa Monica, Cal. 90407-2110; (800) 421-7250, ext. 292.

MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OFFERS SEMINAR CATALOG

The American Management Association offers a new catalog of seminars it will hold in various cities in the U.S. and Canada through October.

General topics include accounting, assertiveness training, communication skills, financial management, human resources and training, information systems, insurance, leadership skills, management skills, marketing management, office management, purchasing, sales and quality management.

The free catalog is available from the American Management Association, 135 W. 50 St., New York, N.Y. 10020-1201; (800) 262-9699.