AGS Retail Firm Membership

RETAIL BUSINESS MEMBERS

The company must have been in business for at least two full years three recommendations from AGS members, complete the AGS 101 module, possess a microscope or equivalent gemological equipment or technology for proper gem identification, and must have an individual, either the principal or a full-time employee, satisfy the requirements for the Registered Jeweler (RJ) title.

The prerequisite education for the RJ title is the Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma and the 5-day Diamond Grading Laboratory or 5-day Gem Identification Laboratory, or equivalent education through Gem-A or other approved institutions. A Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma will satisfy all prerequisite education. Following the prerequisite education, the individual must successfully complete the AGS Way course to earn the RJ title. 

Additionally, If the business has more than one location, one employee in each branch must have either the designation of Jewelry Evaluation Advisor (JEA) or Certified Sales Associate (CSA). This can be done by completing the AGS 101 Course, and then either the Jewelry Evaluation Advisor (JEA) or the Society’s Graduate Sales Associate (GSA) Course. 

 To learn more about earning an AGS designation or credential, click here.  

As a member of the American Gem Society (AGS), you have access to a variety of exclusive events, programs, and services. Here are a few of the advantages of your membership:

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Jewelry Evaluation Advisor
• Registered Jeweler, RJ
• Certified Gemologist^®, CG
• Certified Gemologist^® Appraiser, CGA

AGS awards professional credentials, designating members as skilled professionals once they have completed comprehensive gemological studies and courses on ethics and business practices. Additionally, each Credentialed member is recertified annually. An AGS credential serves as a testament to your customers that they are shopping with an ethical and knowledgeable jeweler. To learn more about credentials, click here.

“American Gem Society credentials significantly differentiate our associates from everyone else out there because it means they have a dedication to education, and to being a professional.”
– Lisa Bridge, CG, Ben Bridge Jeweler

PROFESSIONAL CONSUMER MARKETING SUPPORT

Each year, over six million visitors come to our website and our Find a Jeweler platform, where we connect consumers to you. Our ongoing consumer campaign utilizes dynamic advertising, PR, AGS publications, online, and social media marketing. Our goal: to build consumer awareness of the importance of shopping with a credentialed, professional jeweler, and help drive traffic to your store.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND NETWORKING

Members are invited to attend the American Gem Society’s annual Conclave, the industry’s premier networking and educational event. Throughout the year, we offer continuing education opportunities such as our virtual learning experience Confluence, webinars, and meetings hosted by the regional Guilds and member groups, such as the Young Titleholders, to advance members’ education and networking There’s also AGS PRO, a multi-use online learning center that gives AGS members easy access to educational content in one convenient location. Take courses like the AGS Way, Jewelry Evaluation Advisor, or Certified Sales Associate, and continue your education with articles, white papers, webinars, and more from subject matter experts.

“What first stood out to me about being an AGS titleholder is the networking and relationships I can develop with people, who are to me, the smartest in the industry. The outlet for these opportunities is Conclave. I’ve always said it’s the best-kept secret in the industry.”
– John Carter, CGA, Jack Lewis Jewelers

We have developed strategic relationships with the following companies in order to help our members increase the profitability of their business operations through lower rates, higher customer service, and incentive programs.

JEWELERS MUTUAL GROUP

Jewelers Mutual Group is the only insurance company solely dedicated to the jewelry industry. Find an agent to learn more about strengthening your business with Jewelers Mutual or discover some of the extra benefits offered to AGS members on your own.

JM SHIPPING SOLUTION

Rethink the way you ship! Compare options side-by-side, access incentive programs and intelligently insure your packages, all from one, easy-to-use platform – JM Shipping Solution™.

WELLS FARGO

Offers the American Gem Society credit card program (available to domestic retailers only) that is designed to drive traffic to your store, grow business, and generate customer loyalty. Benefits of the program include consistent customer approvals, competitive credit limits, attractive quarterly promotions, and volume-based rebates that put money back in your pocket. Plus, they offer exclusive rates on their credit card processing.

The American Gem Society has a number of tools that can help you stay on top of best practices, such as informational articles in Spectra or Spectra Update, or abstracts and white papers for AGS PRO, our online learning platform. AGS Go is an app that lets consumers find you through Find a Jeweler; log into the membership section of the app and access the membership directory or membership manual, or search for an AGS vendor who can help you with your business needs, and more valuable features!

• Please complete the online application. The Membership Team will reach out to the references you provide on the application to assist in collecting three recommendations.

• The Membership Department creates a membership file with the necessary details of your business, and presents the file to the Chair of the Membership Committee. The Chair will carefully review your file, and make one of the following recommendations:

• • Acceptance: Your business has met the AGS standards to become a member and may proceed with becoming an AGS member. This will include completing additional education, and possessing a microscope or equivalent gemological equipment or technology for gem identification.
  • Rejection: Your business does not meet the requirements or standards of AGS membership at this time. You may appeal this decision in writing to the International Board of Directors. There is a two-year waiting period to re-apply if your firm is denied membership.

• A summary of your file with the Chair’s recommendation is then submitted to the Membership Committee. The committee is a confidentially seated group of approximately 11 AGS members who are long-standing and active participants of the Society. Once a majority vote has been received, the status of your application is determined.

• If your business is accepted into the membership, it will need to fulfill the required education and/or possess a microscope or equivalent equipment or technology within two years of acceptance into membership. If the educational and equipment requirements are not achieved within two years, the firm risks the membership being withdrawn.

 DUES INFORMATION

Annual membership dues are $1,695 and, if applicable $475 for any additional location. This ensures that all of your organization’s locations benefit from their membership in AGS. Membership dues are billed at the time of acceptance into membership. This shall be in addition to the dues or recertification fees paid by individual members as more fully described in the Membership Dues Terms and Conditions.