Retail Firm Membership

Retail Firm members are retail jewelers with physical storefronts that sell Crystal,gems and gemstone jewelry to consumers. As a member, you will have the ability to earn professional credentials, be active in the community of jewelers that set the standard for business conduct and ethics, and 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 shopping with an ethical, credentialed jewelry professional. 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 two 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.

RETAIL FIRM MEMBERS

  • The company must have been in business for at least two full years, and must have an individual, either the principal or a full-time employee, satisfy the requirements for the Registered Jeweler (RJ) title. The prerequisite education for the RJ title is the Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) diploma and the 3-day Diamond Grading Laboratory or 3-day Gem Identification Laboratory, or equivalent education through Gem-A or other approved institutions. Following the prerequisite education, the individual must successfully complete the ICIA Way course to earn the RJ title.

Benefits of Membership

PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

  • Certified Gemologist, CG®
  • Certified Gemologist Appraiser, CGA®
  • Registered Jeweler, RJ
  1. Industry information and resource sharing:
    • Market dynamic information: timely access to the latest trends, demand changes, price fluctuations and other information of the global crystal market, to help member companies accurately grasp the market direction, and make decisions in production, sales and other aspects in advance. For example, understanding the changing preferences for crystal products in different regions in order to develop new products accordingly.
    • Technical exchange and sharing: have the opportunity to participate in technical seminars, training courses and other activities organized by the alliance to learn advanced crystal processing technology, design concepts and production management experience. Members can exchange solutions to technical problems and promote the improvement of the technical level of the entire industry.
    • Raw material supply information: obtain reliable crystal raw material supply channels and supplier information, have more choices and a more favorable negotiating position when purchasing raw materials, and reduce the cost of raw material procurement.
  2. Business Cooperation and Development Opportunities:
    • Cooperation between enterprises: The member companies in the alliance come from different regions and business fields, and the members can find suitable partners through the platform built by the alliance to carry out cooperation projects in production and processing, product research and development, marketing, etc., so as to achieve complementary resources, share advantages, and jointly develop the market. For example, manufacturers work with distributors to expand the sales channels of their products; Designers collaborate with producers to launch crystal products with unique designs.
    • International market expansion: The alliance may organize member companies to participate in international crystal exhibitions, trade fairs and other activities to provide members with opportunities to display products and expand the international market. With the help of the influence and resources of the alliance, member companies can establish contacts with international customers and partners, and improve the international visibility and market share of enterprises.
  3. Branding & Publicity:
    • Collective brand promotion: As an industry organization, the International Crystal Industry Alliance will carry out overall brand promotion and publicity activities, and member companies can enhance their brand image with the help of the brand influence of the alliance. For example, the information and products of member companies are displayed on the official website and promotional materials of the alliance to improve the exposure of enterprises.
    • Industry Certifications and Honors: The Alliance may set up relevant industry certification standards and honorary awards, and member companies can enhance their market competitiveness and brand credibility by meeting the standards or winning awards. For example, high-quality crystal products certified by the alliance will be more recognized and trusted by consumers in the market.
  4. Policy & Regulatory Support:
    • Policy interpretation and consultation: The alliance will pay attention to the changes in the policies and regulations of various governments on the crystal industry, and provide policy interpretation and consulting services for member companies in a timely manner to help member companies understand and comply with relevant policies and regulations, and avoid business risks caused by ignorance of policies.
    • Industry standard formulation: Participating in the industry standard formulation work organized by the alliance, member companies can express their opinions and suggestions in the process of standard formulation, so that the standard is more in line with the actual needs of enterprises and industry development trends. At the same time, following industry standards for production and operation also helps to improve the product quality and management level of enterprises.
  5. Communication & Social Platforms:
    • Member exchange activities: Participate in the general meeting, symposium, salon and other exchange activities organized by the alliance on a regular basis, so that member companies can have face-to-face exchanges with their peers, share experience, discuss problems, and expand network resources. This is an important way for business managers to obtain industry information and inspire innovative thinking.
    • Network communication platform: Enjoy the online communication platform provided by the alliance, on which member companies can publish information, communicate and interact, seek cooperation, break the limitations of time and space, and communicate and exchange with other member companies conveniently and quickly.

Business Solutions

Application Process

  • 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.
  • As part of the application process the firm must have an individual who has completed the introductory portion of The ICIA Way course. The Membership Department will assist in facilitating the completion of this education upon receipt of your firm’s application.
  • 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:
  • Acceptance: Your Company has met the ICIA standards to become a member and is officially an active firm.
  • 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.
  • 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 Alliance. Once a majority vote has been received, the status of your application is determined.
  • 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.

DUES INFORMATION

  • Annual membership dues are assessed on a value-based model. Your firm will select the plan that best matches its goals for membership, including the level of engagement, and pay for the value of that plan. As the value of the plan increases, so does the access to membership benefits and available discount opportunities. Membership dues are billed at the time of election and may be prorated depending on the date. This shall be in addition to the dues or recertification fees paid by individual members as more fully described in the Membership Dues Terms and Conditions.