GCAL Expands Role In Education Through Speaking Engagements And Presentations
NEW YORK, NY ― September 7, 2007 ― In keeping with its mission to inform jewelers
about the latest gem lab technologies and services available and stress the importance
of integrity in diamond grading, Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) has ramped
up its visibility on the industry lecture circuit – and it will continue to make its members
available to give presentations as featured speakers at key industry meetings, trade
shows, conferences and other events.
For instance, Don Palmieri, President of GCAL, addressed key issues such as the latest
gem lab innovations and ethical responsibility at the Arizona Jewelers Association’s
(AJA) Annual Convention on Aug. 11.
In his presentation, Mr. Palmieri explained how cutting-edge lab innovations such as
GCAL’s Optical Brilliance Analysis, GemfactsSM Digital Certificate, Gemprint TM and
“silent salesperson” Electronic Certificate systems boost the consumer’s confidence,
knowledge and appreciation of diamonds – and also bring a value-added element to
consumers that can enhance a retailer’s brand name and lead to higher sales.
Mr. Palmieri also discussed why gem laboratories need to take full responsibility for their
work, and the difference between a diamond grading certificate, as opposed to a
diamond grading report.
“With recent industry studies suggesting that nearly 50% of consumers mistrust jewelers,
integrity has never been more important to the industry – particularly in the diamond
sector,” Mr. Palmieri said. “While most labs issue diamond grading ‘reports’ full of
disclaimers, GCAL issues ‘guaranteed certificates’ under our unique Zero Tolerance
Consumer Grading Guarantee, which offers a cash-back policy ensuring the accuracy of
our cut, color and clarity grades, as well as the carat weight, on all GCAL-graded
diamonds. In addition, GCAL is the only diamond laboratory part of a publicly traded
company and therefore subject to reporting requirements of the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission and the internal control requirements of Sarbanes Oxley
laws and regulations.”
According to Craig Lynch, G.G., Vice President of AJA and owner of Ouellet & Lynch
Appraisers in Phoenix, AZ, the group chose Mr. Palmieri to speak at its Annual
Convention because of GCAL’s unparalleled guaranteed grading certificates, as well as
Mr. Palmieri’s 40 years of experience as a consumer advocate and well-known
proponent of industry ethics. And the approximate 80 AJA members in attendance for
the presentation were not disappointed.
“Most of our people were surprised at the state of the industry – they never realized that
all gem labs do not stand behind their work to the same extent, but Don’s presentation really opened their eyes,” Mr. Lynch said. “Our members also were very impressed by
the innovations GCAL has come up with, and with Don’s responses to their questions
about diamond grading and grading standards. Don’s presentation probably was the
most well-attended lecture of our Convention.”
GCAL also recently gave a presentation to the National Association of Jewelry
Appraisers (NAJA) that received rave reviews. Daniel Gillen, GCAL’s Lab Director, and
Sharrie Woodring, GCAL’s Vice President of Product Development, gave a two-hour
lecture entitled “Diamond Grading Secrets” at NAJA’s 28th Annual Mid-Year Education
Conference, held in conjunction with the Atlanta Jewelry Show on Aug. 12.
Mr. Gillen, one of the world’s foremost diamond grading experts with 27 years of
experience, offered the 100+ NAJA members in attendance tips about the grading
process, how to select and optimize your equipment, best-practice procedures for
grading polishing and symmetry, and advanced techniques for color and clarity grading.
“Dan and Sharrie made a great team,” said Gail Brett Levine, G.G., Executive Director of
NAJA. “We asked our members to complete a Conference evaluation form for each of
the 14 speakers that gave presentations, and Dan had more ‘excellents’ than any other
speaker. His information was well-presented, offered great grading points that were
sorely needed to help our people improve their businesses, and was really well received
by our members.”
Also in September, Lioudmila Tretiakova, Ph.D., GCAL’s Senior Research Gemologist,
will be giving a presentation entitled “Spectroscopic Methods for the Identification of
Gem-Quality Natural Diamonds” at the 6th European Conference on Mineralogy and
Spectroscopy at Uppsala University in Sweden on Sept. 10.
Meanwhile, Mr. Palmieri will represent GCAL in a four-lab presentation during the
Virginia Jewelers Association’s Annual Convention on Sept. 30. Members will hear Mr.
Palmieri discuss GCAL’s strict grading process and unique products and services.
Members of the GCAL team are available to speak at upcoming industry meetings and
events. To reserve GCAL to speak about the latest developments in diamond grading,
ethical responsibility, key grading issues impacting the jewelry industry and other related
topics, please contact Pamela Palmieri, pcp@gemfacts.com, 212 869-8985.
About Gem Certification and Assurance Lab
Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL) is a subsidiary of Collectors Universe, Inc., a
NASDAQ Global Markets traded company (CLCT NASDAQ listed). GCAL provides guaranteed
diamond certification with bundled services including Gemprint and direct light performance
analysis as well as SourceVeritas and Ideal Cut certificates (www.gemfacts.com). GCAL is the
Official Diamond Laboratory of the International Colored Gemstone Association for North
America, Fine Jewelry CEO Summit, JCK – Las Vegas, JCK Invitational show, Couture 2007,
and the JA New York Shows. GCAL also is the Oasis Lounge sponsor of the Premiere, Prestige
Promenade and Luxury by JCK shows.
Contacts
Don Palmieri
dap@gemfacts.com
212-869-8985