HISTORY : Robert M. Shipley was the
first to introduce the study of gemology in the United States and,
with the aid and encouragement of a group of California jewelers,
Shipley founded the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 1931
as an educational organization to teach the science of gemology.
During 1933 and 1934 Shipley and students of GIA organized local and
regional study groups, some of which enthusiastically formed local
societies. In order to maintain unity, Robert Shipley organized The
American Gem Society (AGS) in 1934 to form a more cohesive
organization with a common purpose. Although both organizations were
working towards the same goal, GIA was founded as an educational
institution while AGS was conceived as a selective professional
society. It was their vision to create an association dedicated to
setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of business
ethics and professionalism in the jewelry industry. Believing that
the jewelry industry is an honorable and dignified profession, the
American Gem Society has two primary purposes.
- The general advancement of professional scientific education within the jewelry
industry, so as to eliminate any misrepresentation caused by
ignorance of the true nature and value of merchandise offered for
sale;
- The development of deserved trust and confidence in
those competent retail jewelers by the general
public.
MISSION and PURPOSE :
As an association
of jewelers dedicated to the protection of the buying public and to
the practice of fair competition and business policies the American
Gem Society embraces, as part of its mission, ethical business
practices protecting the consumer. To further these objectives, the
Society encourages the study of the science of gemology, the
development of scientific gem-testing equipment, the establishment
of scientific standards of gem grading and evaluation, and any other
activities which will lead to a greater dissemination of knowledge
and interest in fine gems and jewelry by the individual jeweler and
the consuming public. Today, American Gem Society members continue
their dedication to ethics, knowledge, and consumer
protection.
To ensure that AGS members practice the highest
standard of business ethics every member must abide by the Tenets of
the AGS Code of Ethics and further, the Society prohibits certain
business practices, including:
- Advertising which in any way is not
the truth or has the intent to be misleading.
- Advertising or setting artificially
high prices as the regular price to allow a fictitious sale price
or supposed discount.
- Representing oneself as a wholesaler
and selling to the consumer.
- Employing the technique of bait and
switch, which is attempting to influence customers to buy an
article carrying a high mark-up in place of an article
requested.
- Failing to advertise in accordance
with recommendations set forth by the Council of Better Business
Bureaus, Inc.
Any member found in violation of the
Society's code of ethics is subject to investigation and possible
expulsion.
STANDARDS, TITLES and CERTIFICATION :
Only a small percentage of those who
apply for membership in the American Gem Society are awarded
membership. In order for a firm to become a member of the American
Gem Society they must meet the following criteria:
- The firm owners, principals, or
employees must have a high level of gemological knowledge. This
includes having studied and completed the diamonds course from the
GIA.
- The firm must hold a reputation for
unquestioned integrity in the business community and must be
operated in a way that will enhance the confidence of the public
in the jewelry industry.
- The owners and principals must
demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in high business
ethics and the firm exemplifies this belief.
- The firm must be a retail or supplier
jewelry business that has been established for at least two years
and has demonstrated financial stability.
In an industry that provides little
accreditation, the American Gem Society awards titles declaring
members as skilled professionals upon completion of stringent
gemological examinations and re-certifications. For you the
consumer, this means AGS provides professional and trustworthy
retail jewelers. A jeweler, who advertises their AGS membership as
Registered Jeweler (RJ), Certified Gemologist (CG), Certified
Gemologist Appraiser (CGA), or Certified Sales Associate (CSA), is
separated from their competition as the true and trusted
gemologically trained expert. These AGS titles, further described
below, are renewed annually and members are required to uphold the
gemological and ethical standards established by
AGS.
- CERTIFIED SALES ASSOCIATE (CSA)
- Earned by individuals, who are employed by a retail or supplier
firm and who successfully complete all of the necessary
requirements of the AGS Certified Sales Associate Course.
- REGISTERED JEWELER (RJ)
- Earned by individuals who have gemological knowledge and who adhere to
AGS' rigid ethical code. This title is good for one year only and
must be renewed annually based on continuing education and on
sustained ethical business practices.
- CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST (CG)
- The more advanced title offered by the American Gem Society requires
additional study in diamonds and colored gemstones as well as the
mastery of sophisticated testing procedures. CG titleholders must
pass an annual exam to maintain their title.
- CERTIFIED GEMOLOGIST APPRAISER (CGA)
- This is the most highly regarded jewelry appraising title in the
industry. Earning the CGA title requires more advanced training
and experience in identifying and determining the value of gemstones
and jewelry. CGA titleholders must also pass annual
re-certification exams to maintain this prestigious title.
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