GIA's New York Jewelry Career Fair attracts high participation

GIA's (Gemological Institute of America) New York Jewelry Career Fair held on July 30 2012, proved that demand exists for talent. It concluded with high participation - 44 companies recruiting hundreds of professionals, and a crowd of more than 800 and some on-the-spot interviews. The fair was held at the Javits Center in Manhattan.

This year marked the return of the event to the East Coast for the first time since 2008, and job seekers as well as recruiters proved that jobs in this ‘gem’ of an industry are in high demand. "I’m happy to report that our industry is wide and diverse – valued at over $160 billion last year; growing even through difficult times,” said Donna Baker, GIA’s president and CEO, during her opening remarks. “And the U.S. is only one market. China, India and the Middle East are expanding rapidly, and so are opportunities.”

The career fair offered talks by industry experts including a special panel presentation - “Job Success in Today’s Market,” moderated by Baker. Panelists David Yurman, founder of David Yurman Inc.; Ann Arnold, CEO of Lieberfarb; Lex Graham, a recent GIA graduate and retail jeweler at Betteridge; and Rahul Kadakia, jewelry department head of Christie’s New York, shared their experiences in the gem and jewelry business and offered advice for newcomers. Alba Cappellieri, dean of the Fashion Design Degree at the Politecnico of Milan, and author of "Jewellery of the XX Century: from Art Nouveau to Contemporary Design," was sponsored by Fiera di Vicenza and spoke on the innovation and creativity in jewelry design and its effect on future trends.

The 44 recruiters offered jobs across segments like retail sales and jewelry design to diamond grading and production. Companies recruiting included Harry Winston, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, Montblanc, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co. and Zale Corporation. The Jewelers for Veterans Foundation was also on-hand to meet with and assist U.S. military veterans in their job search.