COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

DIAMOND COUNCIL OF AMERICA

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 431291177 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S410 · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · dcalearning.org
revenue
$637K
expenses
$486K
net assets
$562K
employees
2
volunteers
10
program ratio
59%
mission · from form 990

EDUCATE ITS MEMBERS, THEIR EMPLOYEES, SUPPLIERS & GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT DIAMONDS & FINE JEWELRY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Diamond Council of America (DCA) provides education and professional development for jewelry retail professionals, focusing on product knowledge and sales skills. It offers online courses in diamonds, colored gemstones, and jewelry sales, culminating in a Gem & Jewelry Sales Diploma. The organization serves retailers, sales associates, and managers, with programs designed to build expertise, credibility, and career advancement in the fine jewelry industry.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $60K
    MEMBERSHIP:MEMBERSHIP IN DCA IS A CONTINUOUS, LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN JEWELRY EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONALISM, MEANINGFUL INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER IDENTITY AND ADVANCEMENT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE.
named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Advanced Jewelry Sales
Course focused on advanced sales practices, customer engagement, and closing techniques for experienced jewelry sales associates.
Beginning Jewelry Sales
Introductory course building foundational knowledge for selling fine jewelry, covering product basics and sales techniques.
DCA Gem & Jewelry Sales Diploma Program
Comprehensive curriculum requiring completion of four courses: Beginning Jewelry Sales, The Diamond Course, The Colored Gemstones Course, and Advanced Jewelry Sales; leads to a professional diploma.
Sales Management Masterclass
Five-part live webinar series for jewelry sales managers, led by Brad Huisken, covering team leadership, accountability, coaching, and sales strategies tailored to jewelry retail.
Second Spark Workforce Initiative
Program that prepares veterans and returning parents for careers in jewelry retail through training, mentorship, and career support.
The Colored Gemstones Course
Course covering knowledge of colored gemstones, including types, quality factors, sourcing, and selling practices.
The Diamond Course
Online course teaching jewelry professionals about the 4Cs, diamond value, lab-grown and treated diamonds, FTC compliance, and customer service in diamond sales.
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Jewelry and Gemstone Industry Advancement 4 activities
    • Award certificates and diplomas to course completers
      Issues industry-recognized certificates upon completion of individual courses and awards the DCA Gem & Jewelry Sales Diploma to learners who complete four sequential courses and pass final exams in each. These credentials support professional advancement in the jewelry retail sector.
    • Deliver online education programs in diamonds, gemstones, and fine jewelry sales
      Provides comprehensive online courses and a diploma program in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales through an interactive, self-paced learning platform. The curriculum includes final exams and covers topics such as the 4Cs, diamond value, FTC compliance, and customer service, with one year allowed for course completion.
    • Facilitate advanced certification pathways for diploma graduates
      Enables graduates of the DCA Gem & Jewelry Sales Diploma Program to bypass the Level 1 CSP exam and advance directly to Level 2 CSSP certification through Jewelers of America, with the membership requirement waived for certification eligibility.
    • Offer membership with educational benefits to jewelry retailers
      Provides membership to jewelry retailers across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, offering course discounts and reduced pricing on education programs to support staff training and professional development.
  • Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 1 activity
    • Provide career training and support for veterans and returning parents
      Offers targeted training, mentorship, and career support to prepare veterans and returning parents for employment in jewelry retail sales, expanding access to professional opportunities in the industry.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Provide leadership training for jewelry retail sales managers
      Offers a five-part interactive webinar series, the Sales Management Masterclass, designed to equip jewelry retail sales managers with leadership tools and coaching skills. Access is free for DCA members and available for a fee to non-members.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$637K
Contributions & grants$7K1%
Program service revenue$616K97%
Investment income$14K2%
Other revenue$175
expenses
Total expenses$486K
Program expenses59%
Admin / overhead41%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$174K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$795K
Cash$521K
Investments$201K
Liabilities$234K
Net assets$562K
Liquid reserves17.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DAVID BONAPARTE VICE CHAIRMAN 4 $721K
TERRY W CHANDLER PRESIDENT & CEO 40 $100K
board members · 9
  • BILL LUTH — VICE CHAIRMAN
  • BUD FLUTY — DIRECTOR
  • CHUCK KUBA — CHAIRMAN
  • DAN CASANOVA — SECRETARY/TREASURER
  • JENNIFER HAMMOND — DIRECTOR
  • JOE COREY — DIRECTOR
  • JULIE KEENEY — DIRECTOR
  • KATE PETERSON — DIRECTOR
  • STEVEN VELASQUEZ — PAST CHAIRMAN
relationships · 7

Who they work with

  • Brad Huisken Partner — Industry expert leading the Sales Management Masterclass webinar series.
  • DCA Learning Network — Operates the educational platform dcalearning.org for delivering courses and diploma programs.
  • DCA Member company Network — Employers of students eligible for member pricing on courses and diploma programs
  • Jewelers of America Partner — Collaborates to provide DCA diploma graduates with accelerated access to JA Professional Sales Certification programs.
  • Joe Corey Partner — Company representative whose business has used DCA training programs for employee development.
  • Rebecca Pierce-Fletcher Partner — Individual who endorses DCA graduates' improved customer engagement and confidence.
  • Ryelee Robinson Partner — Individual sales associate who credits DCA courses for enhancing her product knowledge and customer service skills.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Assessment-Based Learning for Mastery
    methodology: assessment-based learning
    By using final exams to verify understanding rather than just participation, the organization ensures real learning because validated knowledge leads to more competent, confident professionals who can effectively assist customers.
  • Education-to-Certification Pathway
    methodology: education-to-certification pathway
    By linking structured education to industry-recognized certification, the organization builds professional credibility and validates mastery of jewelry sales knowledge, because certification serves as a trusted signal of expertise that enhances career advancement and consumer confidence.
  • Head-and-Heart Sales Education
    methodology: head-and-heart sales education
    By integrating objective product knowledge with emotional intelligence in sales training, the organization improves sales effectiveness because combining factual expertise (head) with empathetic customer engagement (heart) leads to stronger client relationships and better outcomes.
  • Sequential, Integrated Curriculum Design
    methodology: sequential-curriculum
    By delivering a structured, sequential curriculum that combines product knowledge with advanced sales techniques, the organization builds comprehensive expertise because cumulative, integrated learning deepens mastery and application in real-world jewelry retail settings.
  • Workforce Inclusion Pathway for Underrepresented Groups
    methodology: workforce pathway
    By providing targeted training and career support to veterans and returning parents, the organization addresses industry workforce shortages because creating accessible entry points for capable but underrepresented talent expands the labor pool and strengthens sector resilience.