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What I've Learned Since I Got My G.G.
Kiran Khaitan, G.G., moved to the Akron, Ohio suburb of Munroe Falls from Patna, India in 1970. The would-be accountant entered the jewelry industry after she worked in a temporary position at a retail store and loved it. She stayed at that store for nearly 30 years and now owns a custom-design retail jewelry business and independent appraisal company. The self-described "avid student" served as vice president and president of the Ohio chapter of the GIA Alumni Association for a total of 14 years. We spoke with Kiran to find out what she's learned since her 1986 graduation from GIA.
Listen to Good Advice. "We moved to the United States so my husband could finish his master's degree at Akron University. While he was in school, I worked in retail at Lakeshore Jewelers - it was a 'mom and pop' store. I thought about leaving, but my boss encouraged me to stay and attend GIA. Nobody else at our store had the training! It took me five or six years, but I was the first person there to finish my G.G. diploma. I could do anything and everything in the store - appraisals, sales, customer service, buying."
Hit the Books. "I use GIA's Lab manual frequently in my professional practice. I also refer often to my collection of Gems & Gemology issues that goes back to 1980. I use everything in it – every time you look at the
Kiran Khaitan, G.G.
President, Kaltech, Inc. and Kiran's Kustom Jewelry
Age: 55
Family: Husband, Pawan; two daughters, Drs. Leena and Alka Khaitan
Home: Munroe Falls, Ohio
GIA diplomas and certifications: Graduate Gemologist diploma through Distance Education, Letter of Completion in Appraisal Procedures
Professional memberships: Former President of the GIA Alumni Association, Ohio Chapter; Certified Senior Member of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA)
Proudest accomplishment: Starting her own business in 2000
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journal, you learn something new and different."
Use Every Resource. "I graduated from Patna University in India with a major in mathematics. I use math every day, in buying and selling for my store."
Embrace the Challenges. "I love what I do; this is the passion of my life. I enjoy learning about the discovery of new gemstones and the creation of their synthetic counterparts. The most challenging thing for me is to keep up with new discoveries and learn how to identify synthetics."
Own Up to Your Mistakes. "You have to admit your mistakes. The first time I sold a diamond, it was actually a cubic zirconia that was placed in the wrong display case. When my boss and I realized the error, I had to call the customer and explain the situation. I was lucky – he was a regular customer and laughed about it. I've never hesitated to call a customer as soon as I realized I made a mistake."
Be Aware of Major Changes. "The most unexpected thing I've seen in this industry is the change in diamond cut grade and what GIA and the American Gem Society are coming out with. The explosive growth in online diamond sales also caught me by surprise. Customers are buying large diamonds on the Internet without even looking at them prior to purchase. People used to say pricing and markup were very regional things, but the Internet has brought them global. Those friendly 'mom and pop' jewelers must try to keep up with that. Jewelers never thought this would happen."
Address Future Challenges. "It concerns me that right now just about anybody can claim to be an appraiser. I wish there was a way to regulate the industry. We need to establish minimum qualifications and a certification process for being an appraiser, and have continuing education requirements to maintain the accreditation."
Become a Mentor. "James Jolliff, former executive director of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) and Gail Levine, publisher of Auction Market Resource for Gems & Jewelry and executive director of NAJA, have had the most influence on my career over the years. James is a person who says everything the way it is. He believes in honesty. I joined NAJA just before he took the presidency, and any time I had difficulty, I could call him and he always gave me proper answers. I met Gail when our Alumni Association chapter invited her husband, Howard, to be a speaker. Now every conference I go to, Gail is always there.
With both of them, it was just the little things that made a difference - the bits and pieces of advice they were always willing to give. I wish others had the benefit of people like them. I try to mentor other jewelers in my area. They know if they have a problem, they can come to me."
Never Stop Learning. "I wish I knew when I started that this is a field of learning. You can really grow in this industry. I wish I would have completed my GIA courses right away. After I left the store and got out into the world, I began to realize more and more the value of my education. I would advise students to think of GIA graduation as their commencement to the jewelry industry. Join the Alumni Association – I've learned so much from Rose McKenna (Alumni Association manager) and Patrick Ball (former Alumni Association director). Keep up with the new developments in the industry, and never stop learning."
– Interview by Jaime Kautsky
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