Additionally, this certification isn’t a one-time-only test. Once accredited, GCAL will be tested periodically to ensure compliance with all regulations and standards. According to Donald A. Palmieri, President of GCAL, ISO accreditation is a tremendous milestone in the company’s growth and expansion. “We are very proud to be the first gem lab in this country to conform to ISO standards, and we see it as a testament to offering the most reliable and accurate grading in the industry. Our customers expect more from GCAL, and we want to live up to that expectation regardless of the time, effort or cost it takes to be the best.” 

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Pre-Grade Services
are an affordable way to be informed of diamond characteristics before a full Certificate is issued. If you choose not to certify the diamond at the time of the pre-grade service, GCAL will maintain this data for an extended period of time for future certification.

GCAL’s mini Guaranteed Diamond Grading Certificate
is a hard plastic card that highlights the most significant information found on the full size certificate. The credit-card size certificate is printed in full color on both sides, making an attractive presentation for your display cases. Best of all, the mini Guaranteed Diamond Grading Certificate is included with every full size certificate.

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On May 30 in Las Vegas, the Accredited Gemologists Association will offer a diamond grading workshop featuring Dan Gillen, laboratory director at GCAL. With nearly 30 years experience and a quarter million diamonds graded, Gillen will offer attendees insights on grading tips, lab procedures and diamond properties. “I really want to touch on the many facets that help people understand how we determine diamond grades,” Gillen explains. According to AGA, the workshop will include a GCAL produced “virtual hands-on presentation” and tricks of the trade that can only be learned from decades of experience. Other hot topics, including high-clarity, high-color and “split grade” stones will also be discussed. For more information or to register, log on to www.accreditedgemologists.org

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Did you know that GCAL makes house calls? In an effort to educate employees on GCAL benefits, Bailey Banks & Biddle enlisted the help of Donald A. Palmieri and Sharrie Hand in October 2007 for a set of training seminars. With stops across the country and more to follow this year, GCAL reached out to over 450 employees and brought them up to speed not only on signature products and services, but on grading and sales techniques that enhance the bottom line. According to Neil Meany, BBB Regional Manager for the Southeast U.S., the training was an invaluable way to tune employees in to the nuances of GCAL’s offerings.

“These seminars weren’t just technical,” Meany explains, “they emphasized points to help us drive business like features and benefits. The training was a catalyst for a larger discussion on selling skills, and this is something that will help generate future diamonds business.”

If you’re not ready for an on-site seminar but want to learn how GCAL certified diamonds can help your business, log on to www.gemfacts.com/elearning.

A series of web-based courses that are essential training for any diamond salesperson, eLearning provides an in-depth understanding of all of GCAL’s added value, quality and security features. BBB is proof-positive that a little learning can go a long way. “I know that my business did spike after the training,”

Meany says. “It took our diamond sales to a new level, and GCAL was a huge part of it.”

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With the number of Certified Diamond Exchange members topping 1,300, GCAL thought the time was right to initiate a site-wide redesign and offer a host of new features for the growing online community. With a more user-friendly look and feel, CDE is quickly becoming the go-to spot for GCAL certified diamonds. Besides the cosmetic changes, the site now includes expanded functionality that benefits both buyers and sellers.

With the new Compare feature, shoppers can choose up to five diamonds from their search results and compare them side-by-side, allowing viewing of each stone’s characteristics and price when finalizing a purchase. Email notifications allow buyers to be automatically contacted when certain actions take place on CDE. For example, if you are looking to merchandise within certain parameters, you could receive an email when any round brilliant, 1.00 ct+, H+, I1 stones are added—or any criteria of your choice.

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