Carey De Tota, G.G.

• Enhanced customer satisfaction by being one of 2 gemologist/buyers that provide expert gemstone and jewelry identification and valuation on every piece for sale in the collection.
• Assisted clients in making informed purchasing decisions through comprehensive gemological consultations.
• Conducted thorough gemstone grading and analysis for accurate assessments, ensuring client trust and confidence in their purchases.
• Developed partnerships with reputable suppliers, ensuring a diverse selection of high-quality jewelry for clients.
• Stayed abreast of estate jewelry trends and market fluctuations, enabling accurate pricing recommendations for clients.
• Conducted regular quality control checks on incoming gemstones, ensuring adherence to established standards and certifications.
• Provided guidance to junior staff members on best practices in gemology, fostering a strong team dynamic and shared knowledge base.
• Maintained professional membership affiliations within key industry organizations, staying connected with peers while enhancing personal expertise through continued education courses.
• Cultivated strong relationships with clientele through exceptional customer service skills and personalized attention to their needs.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to develop promotional materials showcasing the company's range of services within the field of Gemology.
• Fostered a positive work environment by providing constructive feedback and promoting open communication among team members.
• Contributed to the overall success of the company by consistently meeting or surpassing sales targets through exceptional service and expertise.
• Complied with federal and state guidelines regarding product disclosure, trademarking and fineness issues to avoid any legal concerns.
• Evaluated sales reports and priced diamonds and other precious stones according to market values and rarity.
• Examined gems and the jewelry pieces they were in, during processing, to achieve accuracy of each assessment using a microscope and/or loupe.
• Observed, assessed and documented clarity, color and other key features of diamonds and precious stones.
• Educated sales staff on inventory and sales techniques and supported associates in promoting products to customers.
• Measured and graded diamonds on basis of clarity, symmetry, color and polish.
• Developed strong relationships with suppliers to secure favorable pricing terms and conditions for the company''s benefit.
• Implemented data-driven strategies to optimize purchasing decisions based on historical trends and market fluctuations.
• Continuously monitored estate jewelry trends to identify new supply sources that could potentially improve overall procurement efficiency.
• Participated in trade shows and conferences to stay informed of the latest industry developments and maintain a strong professional network.
• Provided training and guidance to junior team members on best practices in purchasing, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
• Maintained complete documentation and records of all purchasing activities.
• Built long-term supplier relationships with vendors to establish quality and competitive pricing.
• Communicated with vendors regarding inventory needs and negotiated prices to maintain profit margins.
• Analyzed sales and inventory data to determine purchasing needs and reorder points.
• Collaborated with sales teams to educate customers on the unique characteristics and values of various gemstones.

Using a separate 'store within a store' concept, proposed creating a new profit stream to augment the secondary store I managed for a private owner. This Estate Jewelry Collection grew by double digits every year and accounted for 30% of total company sales. Selected, purchased, evaluated, priced and displayed every piece of estate jewelry in the collection. Provided a written assessment, per client's request, on items that were sold. Developed a loyal eager client base and kept them engaged with monthly newsletters that were by request only. In these letters they were informed about jewelry eras, provided an insight into the diamonds and gems, and tantalized by sharing info about the current items that had just been purchased and were now being assessed.

• Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.