Founded in: 1974
Founded by: Antonio "Tony" Bonanno (as alumnae of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Accredited Gemologist Association was envisioned as a network for sharing gemological information and skills. Aga is an international organization of all beliefs and cultures and shares a common bond of the love of gemstones. AGA believes in excellence and is dedicated to establishing the highest professional standards of practice. The AGA is an independent, international, nonprofit organization of degreed gemologists dedicated to advanced gemological education & research, identification & evaluation of gem materials and development of professional standards of analysis, practice & ethics.

Founded in: 1934
Founded by: A select group of independent jewelers and Robert M. Shipley, founder of the prestigious school of gemology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
American Gem Society was established with a vision to create an association dedicated to setting and maintaining the highest possible standards of business ethics and professionalism in the jewelry industry. Today, American Gem Society members continue their dedication to ethics, knowledge and consumer protection.
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 certain criteria. The firm owners, principals or employees must have a high level of gemological knowledge and must demonstrate that they are genuinely interested in high business ethics and the firm exemplifies this belief. 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. Also the firm must be a retail or supplier jewelry business that has been established for at least two years and has demonstrated financial stability.

Founded in: 1981
Founded by: Leon Ritzler, Roland Naftule and Ray Zajicek
American Gem Trade Association represents the interests of the natural colored gemstone, pearl and cultured pearl industries in the United States and Canada. Additionally, the AGTA promotes, maintains and perpetuates the highest ethical standards and inter-industry communication among the Members of AGTA and within the colored gemstone industry.
AGTA also protects the natural colored gemstone, pearl and cultured pearl industries, related industries and ultimately, the consumer from fraud, abuse, misrepresentation and deceptive advertising related to colored gemstones. AGTA provides awareness, knowledge and educates natural colored gemstone industries, related industries and the consumer about natural colored gemstones, pearls and cultured pearls. The Association also hosts the annual trade show, AGTA GemFair Tucson and the AGTA Spectrum Awards design competition.

Founded in: 1948
American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 44 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. AGI provides information services, serves as a voice of shared interests for its member societies and the geoscience community, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education and strives to increase public understanding of the vital role the geosciences play in society''s use of resources and interaction with the environment.

Founded in: 1963
American Institute of Professional Geologists is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology as a profession. AIPG is a nonprofit organization whose policies are determined by its Executive Committee. AIPG presently has more than 4,800 members in the U.S. and abroad, organized into 36 regional Sections. The Institute adheres to the principles of professional responsibility and public service and is the only international organization that certifies the competence and ethical conduct of geological scientists in all branches of the science with members employed in industry, government, and academia.

Founded in: 1990
Founded by: Eight prominent American Jewelry Designers, including Henry Dunay and Jose Hess
American Jewelry Design Council is a nonprofit education organization which recognizes and promotes jewelry of original design as art. The Council sponsors the annual AJDC Talent Award Contest. AJDC also conducts educational activities, including exhibitions, lectures, professional panel discussions, publications, studio visits and more.

Founded in: 1986
American Society of Jewelry Historians is a non-profit educational organization committed to providing an up-to-date resource for those interested in jewelry related subjects, including jewelry history, antique jewelry and contemporary jewelry trends and design.

Buyers International Group provides merchandising, marketing and consulting services to independent retail jewelers. BIG helps its members in improved margins, inventory turn, increased presence in the marketplace and strengthened buying power.

Founded in: 1933
California Jewelers Association is proud to be the largest state jewelry association in the United States. Nearly 1,200 CJA Members (prominent retail jewelers throughout the state of California, as well as designers, manufacturers and service providers) are currently enjoying the many outstanding benefits and services that membership provides. CJA provides easy access to retail products to consumers and offers marketing support to members to encourage and enhance retail sales.

Continental Buying Group is one of the most prestigious and largest independent jewelry chain organizations in USA. Presently, CBG has approximately ninety-five (95) members with three hundred twenty (320) retail jewelry outlets and annual sales volume of over 400 million wholesale and a billion dollars retail.

Founded in: 1931
Founded by: Wichita jeweler Robert M. Shipley
Gemological Institute of America is the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit institute of gemological research and learning. GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through the GIA Gem Laboratory and GIA Gem Instruments) gemological knowledge to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry.
GIA provides training in gemology, jewelry manufacturing arts, and business, awarding certificates of completion/diplomas to those who complete a course of training in residence or home study, or via classes held in various cities. In addition, GIA GEM Instruments & Books carries one of the largest selections of jewelry and lapidary-related instruments and books.
GIA is the creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond value (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight). It is also the corporate birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System™. Today, GIA’s D-Z color-grading scale and GIA’s Flawless–I3 clarity-grading scale are recognized by virtually every professional jeweler and savvy diamond buyer in the world. The Institute is also known for having developed and patented the first modern jeweler''s loupe.

Founded in: 1972
Independent Jewelers Organization is one of the largest buying groups in the world with over 850 members worldwide. IJO Members consistently meet the high standards of excellence, service and integrity required by the organization. IJO offers to consumers an opportunity to buy with confidence from a local jeweler behind the dot.com who will design, create, manufacture and stand behind the jewelry of your dreams, as well as offer the very best prices. IJO also focuses on continuing education for its members in both Gemology and industry trends as well as provides protection to consumers.

International Colored Gemstone Association is a nonprofit organization representing wholesalers, miners and cutters of colored gemstones from 46 countries. The association''s goal is to foster international cooperation and communication in the international gemstone industry.

Founded in: 1885
Jewelers Board of Trade is dedicated to the welfare of its members and the jewelry industry overall, providing industry specific credit information, collections and marketing services. It also provides collection services and wholesale and retail jewelry mailing list/label information to its members. JBT is active in numerous trade shows and industry events and offers educational programs on relevant industry topics.

Founded in: 1906
Founded by: American Retail Jewelers Association and National Retail Jewelers Association formed together the American National Retail Jewelers Association (ANRJA)
Jewelers of America is among the oldest associations of retail jewelers in the United States. JA is the national trade association for retail jewelers and offers assistance to all its members in improving their business skills and profitability. JA provides access to meaningful educational programs and services, provides leadership in public and industry affairs and encourages its members with common interests to act in their and the industry''s best interest.

Founded in: 1883
Jewelers'' Security Alliance is a non-profit crime-prevention association with 21,000 members that has been providing crime information and assistance to the jewelry industry and law enforcement since 1883. JSA gives information and alerts to jewelers and consumers about crimes in the jewelry industry. JSA provides electronic and print bulletins, a jewelry security manual, consulting advice, a Web site, and training seminars on how to reduce losses from burglary, robbery, and theft. JSA also works closely with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, sharing its data and analysis in order to further the war on jewelry crime.

Founded in: 1912
Founded by: The Good and Welfare Committee of the National Jewelers Board of Trade
Jewelers Vigilance Committee provides education and self-regulation to the jewelry industry. JVC promotes fair competition by maintaining the highest ethical principles by governing the jewelry industry, keeps trade informed of laws and regulations and monitors industry advertisements. The committee also fights unfair trade practices and helps prosecute violators of jewelry industry laws.

Founded in: 1946
Jewelry Information Center (JIC) is the public relations arm of the fine jewelry and watch industries. JIC provides information to consumers about fine jewelry, savvy shopping tips, care and cleaning information, jewelry history and fashion trends through its work with print, broadcast and now, Internet media. JIC’s jewelry experts are on call to help educate consumers about fine jewelry. You may catch them on radio and television shows across the country in studio and via satellite talking about gift giving, trends and savvy shopping tips.

Founded in: 1903
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America is a national trade association that delivers valuable information and opportunities to its members to help them operate more profitably. This is accomplished through MJSA trade shows; MJSA publications, including MJSA Journal, its flagship monthly magazine; the educational programs of the MJSA Jewelry Academy; and MJSA cost-saving benefits and other association resources.

Founded in: 1981
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers promotes professional standards and education in the field of jewelry appraising. Members include independent appraisers, jewelers, importers, brokers, and other professionally interested members. The association includes more than 700 Gem and Jewelry Appraisers. The NAJA conducts various programs designed to serve the interests of both its members and the public at large in matters relating to appraisal theory and valuation science. NAJA conducts two education conferences every year — February in Tucson during the AGTA GemFair and every first weekend in August at a rotating location.

Founded in: 1975
Platinum Guild International is an organization dedicated to inspiring a passion for platinum that ensures it is the precious jewelry of choice. PGI provides information, practical advice and expertise to help jewelry buyers make informed and inspired decisions. PGI also offers the jewelry trade specialist knowledge and resources, with the aim of providing customers a high level of help and advice in store. PGI provides sales support and training to all levels of the jewelry trade.

Founded in: 1987
Founded by: Eight major Appraisal Societies in the United States

Appraisal Foundation, a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to the advancement of professional valuation. Since its inception, the Foundation has worked to foster professionalism in appraising by:

Founded in: 1971
Silver Institute is a nonprofit international association that draws its membership from across the breadth of the silver industry. This includes leading silver mining houses, refiners, bullion suppliers, manufacturers of silver products and wholesalers of silver investment products. The Institute serves as the industry''s voice in increasing public understanding of the many uses and values of silver. The Silver Institute also promotes research, spread knowledge and helps in development of markets for silver and its products.

Founded in: 1983
Founded by: Toni Lyn, Cindy Geller, Linda Goldstein, Tina Segal, and Ronnie Lavin
Women’s Jewelry Association is the preeminent association of professional women in the jewelry, watch and related businesses. WJA offers educational programs and enhance communication, provides scholarships, conducts design competitions and recognition programs. WJA empowers women to achieve their highest goals in the international jewelry, watch and related businesses.

Founded in: 1987
Founded by: World''s Leading Gold Mining Companies
World Gold Council, a commercially-driven marketing organization, is formed and funded by the world''s leading gold mining companies. WGC promotes and maximizes the demand for gold in all its forms through marketing activities in major international markets.