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YOU CAN TRUST EXPERTISE AGS CERT I F I ED
CERTIFIED SALES ASSOCIATE, CSA A salesperson with this designation behind his or her name has passed the Graduate Sales Associate course and the AGS Professional module. This assures you that the salesperson is knowledgeable about the diamonds and gemstones they are selling. REGISTERED JEWELER, RJ To earn this title, a jeweler must truly understand jewelry, diamonds, and gemstones. The associate must complete extensive coursework and classroom study, along with written and practical exams in diamond grading. CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST, CG A Certified Gemologist has taken advanced studies in diamonds and colored gemstones. A CG also demonstrates mastery of diamond, gemstone, and precious metal testing procedures. CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST APPRAISER, CGA This title is the most highly regarded among peers in the jewelry industry. It certifies that the title holder can not only identify diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry but also determine their value. It requires advanced training and experience in determining the value of diamonds and gemstones.
There are a handful of select jewelry stores in the U.S. who can call themselves AGS retailers, holding one of the titles bestowed by the American Gem Society. But what does it really mean? There is a lot more to being an AGS dealer than simply paying a fee and belonging to an association. AGS credentials must be earned and maintained. The American Gem Society was founded in 1934 by a small group of leading jewelers. Their goal was to create an organization that could help protect the jewelry-buying public from fraud and false advertising. That purpose was naturally extended to ongoing education, resulting in the highest standard of knowledge in the industry. Today, approximately 3,400 jewelers, retailers, suppliers, individual titleholders, and affiliates have earned the right to join the American Gem Society by dedicating themselves to consumer protection, ethical business practices, and the development and maintenance of superior gemological skills and knowledge. Only 1 in 20 jewelers have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership. To join AGS, every member must go through a peer-reviewed application process, followed by an annual recertification exam. This process ensures that every AGS member you meet is at the top of their game, and more importantly, each one has pledged to protect the consumer.
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