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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. American Gem Society members, who represent a range of professions in the jewelry industry, including retailers and suppliers, have dedicated themselves to consumer protection, ethical business practices, and the development and maintenance of superior gemological skills and knowledge.
To join the AGS, every member must go through a peer-reviewed application process and complete 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 their customers by providing expert gemological knowledge of the products they sell, and adhering to strict standards of ethics.
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The American Gem Society is keenly aware of the corporate and social responsibilities under which we operate and the model we set for the AGS membership. We understand the economic and social choices we make can affect not only the ongoing mission of the AGS, but the businesses of each of the AGS members, partners, employees, and communities.
AGS is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and professional behavior in our interactions within the various segments of the jewelry industry. We are committed to fair business practices and the fair treatment of AGS members and our employees.
Through the AGS Board of Directors policies are reviewed to ensure effective strategies are in place to enhance membership and education programs to protect the consumer.
Our human resources policies protect the rights of our employees as mandated by applicable laws. Through the AGS Employee Code of Conduct, we maintain strict policies with regard to fairness and equality in the workplace, to provide a safe, respectful, open and honest environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Recognizing our employees are key to our mission, we strive to offer our employees engaging career paths, providing professional training in gemological, management and leadership fields where appropriate.
We maintain and encourage open, constructive suggestions from all members of the organization that relate to methods, procedures, working conditions and the nature of the work performed. We establish policies to provide wages, salaries and employee benefits that bear a fair and reasonable relationship to the work performed.
The most important contribution AGS can make is to perform our activities as efficiently and responsibly as possible and to encourage our members and clients to do likewise. Our pledge is to adhere to the highest standards of business practices and ethics, respecting fundamental human rights and conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner.
At AGS and within the AGS membership firms, our communities are important to us. We find it essential to support those causes that give back to children, disadvantaged families, and other areas of the community where we are able to contribute. We do this through industry fundraising events, local fundraising efforts, and local projects that provide the opportunity to engage and give back.
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