Wicklow women complete fine jewellery course
TWO Wicklow women were among nine graduates who were awarded by the Association of Fine Jewellers with certificates after completing the Step 1 jewellery programme.
The Association of Fine Jewellers, formerly known as the Retail Jewellers of Ireland, teamed up with the Assay Office, based in Dublin Castle, to host the awards ceremony.
Rachel McAleese from Bray and Regina Terasmees from Wicklow town both completed the Step 1 jewellery programme and now have the knowledge and skills to sell fine jewellery in Ireland.
The programme is designed to train staff who are new to the jewellery industry.
Presenting the certificates in Dublin Castle was the Assay Master, Ana Izquierdo.
Ana said: ‘ This is a fantastic initiative set up by the Association of Fine Jewellers and we’re delighted to be able to host the awards at the Assay Office. The program brings together the knowledge and expertise needed to sell fine jewellery. It gives the consumer factually based advice, and guidance when making that special purchase. Step 1 graduates are trained in all aspects of jewellery retailing and will explain the hallmark which guarantees the precious metal content of the jewellery. These graduates are the industries way of cancelling out bad practice. Too many people are being sold jewellery that is not of the quality the salesperson claims it to be.’
The Company of Goldsmiths was established in 1637, and since then through their Assay Office beside Dublin Castle, assay and hallmark all items of precious metal manufactured in, or imported into Ireland before they are offered for sale to the public. By law, every piece of jewellery that comes into the country must go to the Assay Office to get tested. There is a statutory requirement to have a hallmark. The hallmark is the consumers guarantee and it is an added value to the precious metal.
Richard Wehrly, President of the Association of Fine Jewellers said: ‘Not only are we delighted to be back at the Assay Office for the second year running but we’re also delighted to be able to launch our rebrand today. Formerly the Retail Jewellers of Ireland, we’re now the Association of Fine Jewellers. We sell quality, fine jewellery and when you see our name and logo you can expect reasonably priced products of quality backed up by fantastic service. Coming to the Assay Office is great for our graduates to see what goes on behind the scenes and what better place to be awarded than the home of hallmarking.’
The Assay Office is located at the Ship Street entrance of Dublin Castle. You can contact them via email on hallmark@assay.ie or phone 01 4751286. www.assay.ie.