Work Bench

Partners in Design

If you want to create customized, gemstone-enhanced eyewear, you need to find a highly skilled jeweler partner

By Tara Rosenzweig

Credentials count. When choosing a jeweler, look for credentials such as these, which are indications of a jeweler's level of experience:

Graduate Gemologist (GG) and Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP): These show that the jeweler has a high level of gemological training from Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Registered Jeweler (RJ) and Certified Gemologist (CG): These credentials are given by the American Gem Society (AGS). RJs and CGs are trained in diamond grading and/or gem identification, as well as in synthetic gemstones.

Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CMBJ): This is Jewelers of America's (JA) highest of four certifications.

FOCUS ON SKILLS

Sama Eyewear, creator of the carat-drenched Pyramid of Diamonds frame, recommends partnering with a master-level jeweler.

“They don't necessarily need to have experience working with eyewear,” says Sama's Farnaz Meybodi. “As long as they have the necessary technical skills (i.e., stone setting), they are likely capable of customizing eyewear.”

One important note: It should be made very clear to the jeweler that the completed frame has to be as light as reasonably possible, says Meybodi.

For more information on certifications, visit www.gia.edu, www. americangemsociety.com, or www.jewelers.org.