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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
