Events & AwardsNov 28, 2022
Registration Is Open for AGA’s Annual Tucson Conference Events & AwardsDec 08, 2022
NAJA’s Winter Education Conference Returns to Tucson in 2023
The 59th Ace It event is scheduled for Jan. 29 and 30 at the Tucson Convention Center.
Rego Park, N.Y.—The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers’ annual in-person conference held during the Tucson gem shows will return in 2023 after a three-year hiatus.
The 59th Ace It Winter Education Conference is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29 and Monday, Jan. 30 at the Tucson Convention Center.
The first day will kick off with Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemology speaking on “Jade: China’s Gift to the World,” reviewing the major sources of jade around the world, touching on its identification, and exploring the modern movement in contemporary Chinese jade carving.
Billie Hughes of Lotus Gemology and GIA’s Wim Vertriest will then present “A Canary in the Ruby Mine: Low Temperature Heat Treatment Experiments in Burmese Ruby.”
In it, the two presenters will share the latest information from their current research on low temperature heat treatment. Attendees will also get to see before-and-after photomicrographs, spectroscopy, and fluorescence results that are important in recognizing treated material.
This will be followed by gem cutter Justin Prim giving a session titled “Beauty, Value, and the Power of Gem Cutting,” exploring how to distinguish a well-cut stone from a poorly cut stone and how cutting can affect the gemstone’s final color, which plays a huge role in its final value, among other topics.
Then mineralogist and archaeogemology expert Çiğdem Lüle will speak on “The Evaluation and Interpretation of Gem Carvings,” and independent jewelry appraiser and NAJA Education Chair Deborah Finleon will discuss “Communication, Consulting, and Contracting: 3 Cs That Can Make or Break an Assignment.”
The day will close with a session from Stuller’s Guy Borenstein called “Lab-Grown Diamonds—Screening Challenges.” This presentation will discuss various aspects of screening, the common screening techniques and technologies used for separation, and each technique’s weaknesses, limitations, and blind spots.
Related stories will be right here …
The 59th Ace It Winter Education Conference is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29 and Monday, Jan. 30 at the Tucson Convention Center.
The first day will kick off with Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemology speaking on “Jade: China’s Gift to the World,” reviewing the major sources of jade around the world, touching on its identification, and exploring the modern movement in contemporary Chinese jade carving.
Billie Hughes of Lotus Gemology and GIA’s Wim Vertriest will then present “A Canary in the Ruby Mine: Low Temperature Heat Treatment Experiments in Burmese Ruby.”
In it, the two presenters will share the latest information from their current research on low temperature heat treatment. Attendees will also get to see before-and-after photomicrographs, spectroscopy, and fluorescence results that are important in recognizing treated material.
This will be followed by gem cutter Justin Prim giving a session titled “Beauty, Value, and the Power of Gem Cutting,” exploring how to distinguish a well-cut stone from a poorly cut stone and how cutting can affect the gemstone’s final color, which plays a huge role in its final value, among other topics.
Then mineralogist and archaeogemology expert Çiğdem Lüle will speak on “The Evaluation and Interpretation of Gem Carvings,” and independent jewelry appraiser and NAJA Education Chair Deborah Finleon will discuss “Communication, Consulting, and Contracting: 3 Cs That Can Make or Break an Assignment.”
The day will close with a session from Stuller’s Guy Borenstein called “Lab-Grown Diamonds—Screening Challenges.” This presentation will discuss various aspects of screening, the common screening techniques and technologies used for separation, and each technique’s weaknesses, limitations, and blind spots.
The second day will start with the “State of the Industry—Post-COVID” by industry analyst Harold Dupuy from Stuller and follow with GIA’s Aaron Palke presenting “Demantoid Garnet: Gemology, Origin, and Treatment,” to give an overview of sources, methods for origin determination, and discussion of treatments.
Author and researcher Renee Newman will then discuss “Diamond Cuts & Qualities in Jewelry from 1300 until Now.”
This will be followed by Danusia Niklewicz of the HallMark Research Institute diving into hallmarks with “What in the World are These Marks?”
The penultimate session will be Warren Boyd from Potentate Mining updating attendees on the world of Rock Creek Montana sapphires, and finally Samantha Lloyd from Gem-A will close the day with a hands-on session about using the spectroscope.
“We really wanted this program to be extra special. After all, it’s our first in-person conference since January of 2020. In looking at program, I’d say we aimed for the ceiling but hit the stars,” said NAJA Executive Director Gail Brett Levine.
Registration is priced at $425 for NAJA members and $650 for non-members until Jan. 15. It then goes up to $525 for members and $750 for non-members.
For more information about the sessions or ways to register, visit NAJAAppraisers.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
