Emerging Designer Membership

Emerging Designer Firm membership is intended to help growing businesses establish their wholesale jewelry operations. This membership provides valuable resources such as continuing education, mentorships, and a supportive community of like-minded professionals.

Emerging Designer members are Crystal and gemstone jewelry wholesalers and manufacturers that sell and distribute solely in a wholesale manner to industry retailers and not to consumers. As a member, you will have access to benefits that connect you with leading industry retailers, including the use of member mailing lists, value-added marketing opportunities, and networking. In addition, you will have access to Conclave, the industry’s premier education and networking conference.

Membership with the ICIA is a testament to your clients that they are conducting business with a firm dedicated to the highest standards of business conduct and ethics in the industry. Please review the details below to learn more about the membership benefits as well as the membership application process.

Membership Requirements

Any company wishing to apply for membership must have been in business for at least 5 full years, and must have an individual, either the principal or a full-time employee, complete the introductory portion of The ICIA Way course, and successfully pass the 15-question final exam to cover the important details of the Alliance.

Benefits of Membership

As a member of the ICIA, you have access to a variety of exclusive events, programs and services. Here are a few of the advantages of your membership:

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

  • Certified Gemologist, CG®
  • Registered Supplier, RS

ICIA awards professional credentials, known as Titles, designating members as skilled professionals once they have completed comprehensive gemological studies and courses on ethics and business practices. Additionally, each Titleholder is recertified annually. An ICIA credential serves as a testament to buyers that they are purchasing from an ethical and knowledgeable supplier.

PROFESSIONAL CONSUMER MARKETING SUPPORT

ICIA utilizes a dynamic mix of print and digital advertising, PR, publications, online and social media marketing. The goal: create awareness among ICIA retailers on the importance of purchasing from a credentialed ICIA supplier and drive traffic to your business.

The exclusive ICIA Membership Directory provides vital information you need to contact influencers at ICIA retail stores. Our social media highlights your beautiful jewelry to an audience of over 600,000, which includes consumers—and ICIA and trade retailers.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND NETWORKING

Members are invited to attend the ICIA’s annual Conclave, the industry’s premier networking and educational event. Throughout the year, we offer continuing education webinars as well as meetings hosted by the regional Guilds and member groups, such as the Young Titleholders, to advance members’ education and networking.

Conclave is a great way to meet decision makers at ICIA retail firms.

Business Solutions

Application Process

  1. Please complete the online application. The Membership Team can reach out to the references you provide on the application to assist in collecting the letters of recommendation.
  2. As part of the application process the firm must have at least one individual, either the principal or a full-time employee, complete the introductory portion of The ICIA Way course, and successfully complete the 15-question final exam to cover the important details of the Alliance. The Membership Team will assist in facilitating the completion of this education upon receipt of your firm’s application.
  3. The Membership Department creates a membership file with the necessary details of your firm, and presents the file to the Chair of the Membership Committee. The Chair will carefully review your file, and make one of the following recommendations:
    1. Acceptance: Your Company has met the ICIA standards to become a member and is officially an active firm.
    2. Rejection: Your Company does not meet the requirements or standards of ICIA membership at this time. You may appeal this decision in writing to the International Board of Directors. There is a two-year waiting period to re-apply if your firm is denied membership.
  4. A summary of your file with the Chair’s recommendation is then submitted to the Membership Committee. The committee is a confidentially seated group of approximately 15 ICIA members who are long-standing and active participants of the Society. Once a majority vote has been received, the status of your application is determined.
  5. If your firm is accepted into the membership, it is considered an active firm member of the ICIA, and will gain access to the full membership benefits. Emerging Designer Membership is limited to two (2) years. At the end of the term, members have the opportunity to convert their membership into Supplier Members.

DUES INFORMATION

Annual membership dues are billed at the time of election. Titleholders and designees attached to member firms are billed an annual recertification fee during the recertification period. Invoices are billed to the firm at the launch of the period.