J. Thomas Jewelers affiliates with global buying group

Sparta - J. Thomas Jewelers has announced its affiliation with the Independent Jewelers Organization, an international buying group and educational organization of independent retail jewelers. J. Thomas Jewelers will be the area’s exclusive “Master IJO Jeweler” member. “We seek out one of the top two independent retail jewelers in a market area for exclusive membership,” said Richard Swetz, chairman of the organization. “Our buying group is geared for stores that offer high quality at good values. “Our members share the international purchasing power of almost 900 members across the U.S., plus members in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia,” he continued. “And our educational, business, and marketing programs are unique in the jewelry industry: They are designed to put the local independent jeweler on an equal footing with the national chains they compete with today.” According to Lennie and Liz Girardo, owners of J. Thomas Jewelers, the firm will be taking advantage of as many membership benefits as possible. Benefits include direct access to the international diamond markets of Antwerp, Belgium, through the organizaiton’s buying office located there. “We can now add a new address to our letterhead,” said Lennie Girardo. “Pelikaanstraat 62, Antwerp, Belgium, is our gateway to more than half of the world’s finest diamonds. It will allow us to act as an international diamond broker for our customers right here in Sparta.” Membership in the organization also includes participation in the group’s business college. Jewelers may enroll in a joint gemology and business curriculum offered in conjunction with the Gemological Institute of America, a non-profit organization that certifies diamond and color stone quality and also acts as the “educational college” for the jewelry industry worldwide. J. Thomas Jewelers is located at 270 Sparta Ave. For information, call 973-729-4969.