www.americangemsociety.org
The American Gem Society was established in 1934 by a select group of independent jewellers and Robert M. Shipley, founder of the prestigious school of gemology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
It was their vision to create an association dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of business ethics and professionalism in the jewellery industry. Today, American Gem Society members continue their dedication to ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection.
Because the qualifications for membership are stringent, less than 5% of jewellers in Canada and the U.S. meet the qualifications to be members.
Shopping with an American Gem Society jeweller means you can shop with confidence. Independent Jeweller has been a member since 1994.
www.canadianjewellerygroup.ca
Independent Jewellers has been a member of the Canadian Jewellers Group (CJG) since 1997. CJG is Canada’s largest buying group and has over 100 Canadian retailers as members. Being a member of this group gives us the buying capabilities that normally only big chains would have, allowing us to pass the savings on to you, the customer.
www.ijo.com
Independent Jewellers joined IJO in the fall of 2008. This amazing group of retailers and suppliers from all over North America has become the largest buying group in the world, with an astounding 850 members. Through this group we will be able to bring new and exciting brands to Winnipeg as well as unique products you will find nowhere else in Manitoba.
www.canadianjewellers.com
The Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) is the voice of the Canadian jewellery industry. CJA promotes ethical business standards and social responsibility within the industry and has become, as their slogan says, “A Sign of Trust,” for the consumer. Independent Jewellers has proudly been a member since 1946.
www.gia.edu
Established in 1931, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the authority on diamonds, coloured gemstones, and pearls. This institute is responsible for training aspiring jewellers as well as ensuring protection for all purchasers of gemstones. GIA created many of the rules that govern how precious gemstones are graded today: they created the D-Z colouring grading scale; the Flawless to I3 clarity scale; and more recently, creating a system to grade the quality of a cut on a diamond.
Independent Jewellers is proud to have two graduate gemologists working full-time at our Notre Dame location with a few more on the way.