Malabar Gold and Diamonds trains staff with GIA programme

Fine jewellery brand Malabar Gold and Diamonds partnered with the Gemological Institute of America to train over 20 of its retail sales staff in diamond grading at its flagship store in Kozhikode.

The brand’s staff studied the GIA’s ‘4Cs of Diamond Quality’ (colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight) to gain professional working knowledge of the precious stones, GIA India announced on Facebook. Participants in the training also learnt about the ‘International Diamond Grading System™’ and how treatments can affect appearance. 
 
“These programmes combine GIA’s decades of research-backed curriculum and hands-on practical skills with the flexibility of modular delivery,” said GIA India’s senior director of education and market development Apoorva Deshingkar, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council reported on its website. “We appreciate Malabar Gold and Diamonds’ objective to invest in their staff’s learning and development, and in turn, provide consumers with accurate product knowledge.”

Training retail sales staff to have detailed knowledge beyond just the business’ inventory will enable Malabar Gold & Diamonds to strengthen customer relations and offer an elevated offline experience. The move is in line with businesses adding to their brick-and-mortar offering to draw footfall in an age of online shopping. 
 
“The learning curriculum was very well structured and the best part was that the participants could practically experience everything that they learned in real-time,” said Malabar Gold and Diamonds’ general manager of learning and development Bejoy John. “With the launch of the Malabar Global Centre of Excellence on 5th May, 2023, this training has added a lot of value to our business. Kudos to GIA India and the instructor.”