JUNE 2006 1Mid-America Jewelry News

depth, extensive education to in-dustry members, DCA’s founders decided to focus on the basics, or foundation level, of diamond and gemstone information.

Unlike many industry profes-sionals, Jarrett wasn’t introduced to the jewelry world through her family. A native of Michigan, she spent the fi rst half of her adult life

inside this issue

Mid-America Jewelry NewsVOL 5 NO. 6 JUNE 2006

Serving the Jewelry Industry in America’s Heartland

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Please see Pagoda page 22

Amy MinnickStaff Writer

Olivia Dorn-KennedyStaff Writer

Please see NAJA page 24

Please see Jarrett page 8

(CEDARBURG, Wis.) - From its charming shops and bou-tiques to its meticulously main-tained historic buildings, with two separate districts listed on the Na-tional Register of Historic Build-ings and more than 200 buildings of historical signifi cance, Cedar-burg (founded in the 1840s) is a quaint tourist town located just 20 miles north of Milwaukee.

Perhaps, Cedarburg’s most unusual claim to fame is “The Pa-goda”, one of the most unique jew-elry establishments in the nation. It’s located just off Main Street, near antique and other eclectic shops in the area. The service and quality the owners provide fi ts in with the area, but let’s just say the store itself has a unique look which attracts a lot of attention.

“The Pagoda” in Wisconsin80 years of combined experience

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) - Head-quartered in Nashville, Tennessee is one of the jewelry industry’s most dedicated, educational or-ganizations of all time - The Dia-mond Council of America (DCA). Geared toward providing educa-tional tools needed to improve product knowledge and sales, DCA is a long-standing, accredit-ed educational program providing a solid foundation in diamond and gemstone knowledge.

Formed in 1944 by a group of men wanting to “provide quality, affordable education to its mem-

The Diamond Council of AmericaEducating the industry for success

Southern Jewelry News and Mid-America Jewelry News read-ers have found a true ‘gem’ in monthly columnist Diana Jarrett. As multi-faceted as the stones she writes about, Jarrett’s background, training and certifi cation are the platform from which she delivers her enormous passion for precious gems. Believing in the ‘story be-hind the stone’, Jarrett brings each gem to life with information on the history, pedigree and unique characteristics attributed to a par-ticular piece. But her expertise and experience go much farther than simple geology and gemology. Jarrett, much like her stones, has a ‘story behind the writer.’

(REGO PARK, N.Y.) - A premier authority on jewelry ap-praisal in the nation is the Na-tional Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), which has

Gail Brett Levine, ExecutiveDirector of NAJA

DCA President Terry Chandler

Jewelry Appraisal –It can enhance your businessand your reputation as a jeweler

garnered the membership of more than 712 of the most highly educated and respected jewelry appraisers from across the Unit-ed States and abroad, including South America, Australia, Russia and Antwerp.

“We are a unique organiza-tion in that we specialize in only gems and jewelry,” said NAJA executive director Gail Brett Levine. “We found there was a need for an appraisal organiza-tion specializing in just gems and jewelry, not subject to the confu-sion of diverse appraisal areas such as real estate, art, house-hold contents and other valuable items.”

Gail is a G.I.A. educated Graduate Gemologist and is an active appraiser herself in ad-dition to her demanding duties promoting NAJA. She explained

Diana Jarrett - Writer, Gemologist, Actressbers’ associates, enhancing their

ability to sell fi ne jewelry with expertise, integrity, and profes-sionalism,” DCA set out to fi ll a niche other educational programs weren’t equipped to handle.

Terry Chandler, president of DCA, recalls how, “there really wasn’t a lot of education avail-able in 1944. There were one or two possibilities and those were expensive and lengthy. The found-ers of DCA wanted to create an affordable, yet high quality educa-tional organization. The outcome was DCA.”

Recognizing that existing educational organizations played a critical role in providing in-

Olivia Dorn-KennedyStaff Writer

Amy MinnickStaff Writer

“Story Behind the Stone” columnist Diana Jarrett

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Please see Council page 19

(L-R) Catherine Laing, Paula Luba and Debra LaValley have a unique store (background) and working arrangement

News Briefs..........................................................................................page 4IGI intercepts stolen 20 ct. diamond.................................................page 6Cooperation helps prevent crime......................................................page 7Sales Growth Expert by Bob Janet......................................................page 10Marketing Concepts by Denise Rodgers...............................................page 12What’s New in the Business..............................................................page 14AGS cut grade educational guide.....................................................page 16The Retailers Perspective by Chuck Koehler.......................................page 34Business Views by Howard Ross..........................................................page 20I Love my Job by Tammy Williams......................................................page 23The Best Policy by Bob Carroll..........................................................page 26The Story Behind the Stone by Diana Jarrett...................................page 28

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