Local Jewelers Earn Professional Recognition from National Trade Association

NEW YORK, NY – Jewelers of America, the nation's largest professional association of retail jewelers, has awarded Boris Notovich and Fabio Penuela, jewelers at Continental Diamond, in Minneapolis, MN, the designation of JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler (CMBJ), the fourth and highest level of the JA Professional Bench Jeweler Certification program. Only three other jewelers in Minnesota have received this distinction; there are less than 130 CMBJ jewelers in the United States.

JA Certified Master Bench Jewelers are artisans who demonstrate jewelry creation and repair skills to the peak of professional proficiency. The JA Professional Bench Jeweler Certification program sets uniform standards for testing and evaluating a bench jeweler’s talent, ability and proficiency.

“Being a JA Certified Jewelry Professional is an important designation,” says JA President and CEO Matthew Runci. “There is a fundamental difference between a JA Certified Jewelry Professional and someone who just happens to make, sell or repair jewelry. By completing the JA Master Bench Jeweler Certification exam, Fabio and Boris have defined their proficiency as masters of their trade, which demonstrates that they are expertly qualified to craft or repair fine jewelry and illustrates their commitment to providing superior service to customers.”

Continental Diamond’s commitment to quality is reflected in its in-house repair shop, a unique feature of jewelry retail stores. Here, customers can have Notovich and Penuela, JA Certified Master Bench Jewelers, repair or refurbish their intricate jewelry pieces. To achieve the title of JA Certified Master Bench Jeweler, both Notovich and Penuela have extensive practice in the bench jewelry field. Notovich has been working with jewelry for 24 years. He trained in Russia, earning a metallurgical engineering degree. He worked in Russia and Israel prior to joining Continental Diamond in Minneapolis.

Penuela, one of the two master goldsmiths at Continental Diamond, has 16 years experience in bench jewelry work and specializes in custom jewelry design and repair. His custom design talent has received industry recognition; in 2007, he won a design award from the Minnesota/North Dakota Jewelers Association. At Continental Diamond, Penuela works with the latest in jewelry design technology, like Digital Goldsmith and Computer Aided Design software.


Continental Diamond provides a “full-service” jewelry experience, with a large showroom and the on-site expertise of two GIA Graduate Gemologists, seven GIA Diamond Graduates, three master goldsmiths and a watch specialist. It is located 1600 Utica Avenue, Suite 130, St. Louis Park, MN. For additional information about JA Certified Master Bench Jewelers Boris Notovich and Fabio Penuela, contact the store directly at 952-593-5602 or visit www.continentaldiamond.com. Continental Diamond is a member of Jewelers of America. For information about Jewelers of America and the JA.