Learning from the Course

  • How can you begin using what you learn in each assignment?
  • What’s the importance of assignment questionnaires?

The overall goal of Diamond Essentials is to give you the tools you need to sell diamond jewelry ethically, honestly, and effectively. There are seven assignments in the course:

1—Diamonds and Diamond Value. This assignment introduces the Four Cs and gives you the foundation you need to start learning about diamonds and diamond jewelry.

2—Clarity and Value. This assignment tells you more about inclusions and blemishes. You’ll also learn about the internationally accepted and respected GIA clarity grading system.

3—Color and Value. You’ve already learned that diamonds come in different colors. In Assignment 3, you’ll learn how diamonds are graded for color. And you’ll see how color influences value.

4—Cut and Value. To many people, the term “cut” simply means shape or cutting style. You’ll learn in Assignment 4 that there’s more to it than that. You’ll see how modern technology is changing the way the jewelry trade thinks about cut. You’ll see, too, how the quality of a diamond’s cut contributes to its overall beauty.

5—Carat Weight and Value. In this assignment, you’ll learn that it’s not always a case of bigger costs more. You’ll also learn the differences between size and weight.

6—The Daily Retail Business. This practical assignment describes two important functions in the operation of a retail jewelry store. The first is security. The second is the care and cleaning advice you should give your customers.

7—Presenting Diamond Jewelry. This assignment brings together the product knowledge you’ve gained in the rest of the course. You’ll learn how to combine that product knowledge with solid sales techniques to complete more sales.

Each assignment takes a practical approach to its subject. You’ll learn more than the technical aspects of clarity grades, for example. You’ll learn to use the information to do everything from reading a gemological lab’s grading report to explaining the relationship between clarity and value to a customer.

You’ll find that your retention increases as your study habits become more consistent. Pay special attention to italicized words in the text and keep a dictionary handy—all of the gemological terms are explained in the course, but occasionally you might come across words that are unclear to you.

The wealth of information in this course will provide you with the essential tools you need to sell diamonds and diamond jewelry with confidence.