American Gem Society Jeweler
Charles Saatjian, manager of Jewelry Studio in Bozeman, has been awarded the prestigious title of Registered Jeweler by the American Gem Society (AGS). Charles has become the only AGS Registered Jeweler in the Gallatin Valley and one of only three AGS Jewelers within the state of Montana. To earn this title, Charles had to complete the required coursework study, along with written and practical exams in diamond grading. The title assures consumers that this jeweler truly understands jewelry, diamonds and gemstones, and has proven their commitment to the highest standards of ethical practice. Charles, an alumni of the full-time program at the Gemological Institute of America, is also a GIA Graduate Gemologist and Jewelry Designer. Nine years ago, after completing military service and attending GIA, Charles joined his family's locally owned and operated jewelry store. Jewelry Studio, a family owned and operated local business since 1994, is proud to be the only American Gem Society Jewelry Store in Bozeman, Montana so that we can provide our jewelry clients with the knowledge, training, jewelry expertise and integrity that they deserve.
The American Gem Society (AGS) is a nonprofit trade association of fine jewelry professionals dedicated to setting, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional behavior through education, accreditation, recertification of its membership, gemological standards, and gemological research.
The Society is committed to providing educational products to inform and protect the consumer and to contributing to the betterment of the trade by creating industry standards to protect the jewelry-buying public and the fine jewelry industry as a whole.
The American Gem Society (AGS) was founded in 1934 by a small group of leading jewelers. Their goal was to create an organization that could help protect the jewelry-buying public from fraud and false advertising. Today, we’re proud to say their vision has become a reality.
Approximately 3,400 jewelers, retailers, suppliers, individual titleholders and affiliates have joined the American Gem Society and have dedicated themselves to consumer protection, ethical business practices, and development and maintenance of superior gemological skills and knowledge.
Only one in twenty jewelers have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership. To join the AGS, every member must go through a peer-reviewed application process followed by an annual recertification exam. This process ensures that every AGS member you meet is at the top of their game, and more importantly, each one has pledged to protect you, the consumer.
Buy With Confidence From an AGS Jeweler!
The American Gem Society’s Pledge to the Consumer
In order to maintain membership, jewelers in the American Gem Society agree to:
- Provide full disclosure of all facts pertaining to the products they sell.
- Never intentionally deceive their employees, consumers, vendors, or business partners.
- Compete fairly and never speak unprofessionally about their competitors. Likewise, encourage their colleagues in the jewelry industry to embrace these principals.
- Resolve any customer complaints relating to the sale of a product.
- Not sell conflict diamonds. AGS jewelers must make every effort to fully comply with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council System of Warranties.
- Continue their gemological and jewelry education, always improving their knowledge and keeping up with trends in jewelry and ethical business practices.
- Adhere to anti-money laundering (AML) program, which is designed to comply with the USA Patriot Act.
Under the guidelines for Social and Human Rights Practices, AGS jewelers are required to respect the fundamental human rights of all their employees, business partners, and, of course, their customers. They must adhere to all applicable laws related to work hours and compensation and they must conduct business in an environmentally responsible manner.
The American Gem Society (AGS) was created with one mission in mind: to protect you, the consumer.
The American Gem Society (AGS) was created with one mission in mind: to protect you, the consumer. from jewelers you can trust. AGS Standards not only comply with governing laws, but go beyond that to ensure that you are buying from jewelers who have the knowledge and skill to help you make the most informed buying decision.
Charles Saatjian, American Gem Society Jeweler, GIA Graduate Gemologist & Jewelry Designer
