White Pine Launches Professional Development/Educational Program to Help Pawnbrokers Sharpen Their Buying Expertise -- and Increase Profits


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Feb 17, 2016) - White Pine Trading LLC ("White Pine"), one of the world's largest recycled diamond and jewelry companies, today announced the launch of a professional development/educational initiative, named White Pine Academy. The Academy is designed to help increase U.S. pawnbrokers' profits by strengthening their buying, selling and valuating expertise in the diamond, jewelry and watch trades.

Supported by international relationships with retailers and manufacturers, White Pine's team consists of industry veterans holding decades of experience. "In working with hundreds of pawnbrokers across the globe, our buyers have a keen understanding of the many challenges faced by the industry," noted White Pine Senior Buyer Benjamin Lew. "White Pine Academy is our way of formalizing and expanding upon these existing relationships to offer value across all of our clients' needs. Through our substantial business experience, we've recognized knowledge gaps that the Academy can help address, allowing pawnbrokers to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace."

Throughout 2016, the program will be disseminated through a variety of channels, including direct mail, print advertising, industry events, promotional competitions and digital content. An innovative cornerstone of the program is an online resource that features blog posts, videos and in-depth articles providing pawnbrokers with valuable training instructions and industry insights. Additionally, there is a convenient forum that can connect pawnbrokers with White Pine buyers locally at their shops.

"White Pine Academy offers tips related to strategic business issues, emerging trends, leading-edge merchandising strategies, authentication issues and much more. Our goal is to arm pawnbrokers with the information they need to succeed," said Bill Norton, Manager, Wholesale Purchasing. "The wide range of content that covers everything from where a piece's serial number is located, to how certain equipment is used, and even diamond grading practices and standards, is designed to help optimize revenues for pawnshops -- no matter their size or area of expertise in the diamond and jewelry trade."

Visit the White Pine Academy online at: http://www.whitepinediamonds.com/academy/.

About White Pine Trading LLC: Established in 2010 with an aim to revolutionize the diamond industry's use of recycled product, White Pine Trading LLC is one of the world's leading recycled diamond and fine jewelry companies. The company trades certified diamonds, parceled diamonds, fine jewelry, and watches through a variety of distribution channels, including monthly auctions of parceled diamonds at global diamond centers, just-in-time delivery of certified stones, and road delivery of jewelry and watch products. The company's experts also offer a range of consulting and appraisal services to financial services companies and the jewelry industry. Today, White Pine Trading has offices in New York, Birmingham (UK), Mumbai, and Tokyo. To learn more, visit www.whitepinediamonds.com