The diamond industry is in need of some fresh and young interested minds in order to continue its legacy in the generations to come. A new and ambitious initiative introduced by the Diamond Council of America is designed to educate high school students regarding all things diamond, gemstone, and jewelry related in order to provide them with ample job opportunities post high-school. Additionally, these unique learning programs will expose young students to a world, which would otherwise be left unknown to them. The plan is essentially to set an opportunity where the students can develop gemstone information for example, and actually put the skills they learn into practice within the industry.
Think about it – if high schoolers have classes in Anthropology, Home Economics, Photography, Debate Team, and Art, all which lead to a vocation, doesn’t it make sense to have a class in Diamonds?

High School Diamond Education Initiative

The Diamond Council of America has introduced the first of its kind Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative at a high school in Woodstock, GA, which includes four different classes. Aimed at stressing careers during the high school years, the initiative falls into the category of career-oriented classes, which in many districts receive funding from their state and Federal Government. This makes the initiative even more appealing. Industry vet, Suzan Alexander Weir, has been appointed to scout out schools that may be interested in joining this unique opportunity. In order to incorporate diamond education in an appropriate manner, the various subjects are taught in such a way that makes them very relevant to an overall high school education. For instance, color gemstones are studied through art classes, jewelry-sales courses are taught in business classes, and diamond knowledge is obtained in art or science classes.

Growing Interest

At the beginning of the pilot course, the high school students showed little interest in this new and revolutionary course. However, by the end of the year, the students were thrilled to receive their DCA certificates, and were overall quite taken by the products they had been introduced to, and with the industry as a whole. Most importantly, these young individuals were no longer foreigners to an entire world found in malls, shopping centers, and at airports. Diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry have made their way into their consciousness, making them potential employees, partners, or even consumers in the diamond industry.

Aiming High

Not to say that there is anything wrong with waiting tables and flipping burgers, but it can easily be agreed that working in a quiet and lucrative atmosphere of a jewelry store vastly trumps the former options. Additionally, the salary is more stable and there is plenty of room to advance, and this industry allows for exploring many fields including business, interpersonal skills, science, nature, and fashion.

This fledgling but intriguing initiative of the DCA will open a whole new window of opportunities for young folks across the country. Even if they choose not to pursue a career in diamonds, the knowledge they have gained from these rich programs will leave them with useful information that can be utilized further down the line, whether in another career field or as a well-informed diamond customer.

What do you think about teaching diamonds to teenagers? Let us know in the comments!