Jewelry Television® CEO Awarded Three Elite Industry Diplomas

Tim Matthews Earns GG, FGA, and DGA Designations in Less Than One Year

News provided by

May 12, 2014, 01:40 ET

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Jewelry Television (JTV) announced today that the network's Chief Executive Officer and President, Tim Matthews, has been awarded the top three diplomas attainable in the gemstone industry: the designations of Graduate Gemologist (GG) from the Gemological Institute of America, Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in Gemmology (FGA) and Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in Diamonds (DGA).

Tim Matthews, CEO of Jewelry Television, achieved top three industry designations in less than a year. (PRNewsFoto/Jewelry Television)

In what may be an unprecedented achievement, Matthews completed all the required coursework, research, laboratory exercises and exams to earn each of these distinctions in about a year's time. This required overlapping coursework starting in the summer of 2012, then completing his GG program in August 2013, the DGA program in December 2013 and the FGA program in January 2014. These designations signify the maximum level of educational achievement available in the gemstone industry.

"Tim Matthews is setting the standard for continuing education and meeting the elite expertise expectations of our customers," said Donna Burns, JTV's chief service officer. "As the largest retailer of loose gemstones in the world, it is our mission to create a culture that conveys the highest standards of industry knowledge."

Matthews said he tackled the challenge of being a full-time student while holding down his day job because, "our global business requires us to be more knowledgeable than ever. Completing the FGA, DGA, and GG requirements will reinforce the message that JTV values education and encourages learning at all levels of our business."

Dozens of employees at JTV hold Graduate Gemologist (GG) degrees, Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP), certifications and various other industry designations. Previously, Matthews had completed the GIA's Graduate Pearls, Graduate Colored Stones and Graduate Diamonds diploma programs and had become an Accredited Jewelry Professional.

"Opening the world of jewelry and gemstones to everyone is the heart of our brand," said Matthews. "We do that by translating the highest level of knowledge into terms the everyday consumer can understand and relate to. We want to inspire them to love jewelry and gemstones as much as we do."

About the Geological Institute of America (GIA)

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.

About the Gemmology Association of Great Britain

The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, or Gem-A, a London-based educational charity, is the world's longest established provider of gem education and a membership organization that forms an international community of gem professionals and enthusiasts. Gem-A seeks to serve the best interests of the gem and jewellery industries worldwide through its commitment to supporting gemmological research and high educational and trade standards. For information see www.gem-a.com.

About Jewelry Television®

Jewelry Television® (JTV) is one of the largest multichannel retailers of jewelry and gemstones in the U.S. appealing to fashion-conscious women, jewelry-making enthusiasts and private collectors. The privately-held shopping network broadcasts high definition programming, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to nearly 85 million U.S. households. Committed to consumer education, the network employs numerous Graduate Gemologists and Accredited Jewelry Professionals. JTV.com offers the most comprehensive jewelry and gemstone Learning Library on the internet, and is the third largest jewelry website according to Internet Retailer's Top 500 Guide for 2012.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140507/85481

SOURCE Jewelry Television