NAJA Announces Its Mid-Year ‘Ace It’ Conference
The conference will focus on the “practical ‘how to’ of appraising gems and jewelry,” said NAJA Executive Director Gail Brett Levine.

Slated for Aug. 10 to 12, the “Ace It” conference will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
It will focus on the “practical ‘how to’ of appraising gems and jewelry,” said NAJA Executive Director Gail Brett Levine.
The mid-year event follows the association’s winter conference, its annual gem market-focused event that took place earlier this year in Tucson.
It will include hands-on workshops, presentations, and exhibits. A mock auction at Heritage Auctions’ Chicago location also will take place.
There will be a total of 10 presentations at the conference, each provided by experts from appraisal and related fields.
“Fakes, Counterfeits, Frauds, and Misrepresentation” will be presented by Duncan Parker, an FGA, and vice president and jewelry specialist at Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers.
“NAJA’s Report Writing Standards: A Usage Guide” will be hosted by Deborah Finleon, a GIA graduate gemologist (G.G.) and CMA at DJF Appraisal Services.
“The Cost Approach: A Basic Tool” will be held by Dave Atlas, CSM, a GIA G.G., and DGLA-DACO.
“Watching the Market: Current Trends in the Watch Market” will be presented by Reginald Brack, senior vice president and head of the watch department at Freeman’s | Hindman Auctions.
“A Practical Approach to Building a Pricing Database During Trade Shows” will be hosted by Stuart Robertson, a GIA G.G. and president of Gemworld International.
“Power Search Tips: Finding and Refining the Best Comps” will be co-hosted by Jessica DuBroc, a GIA G.G. and director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions New York, and Gina D’Onofrio, an FGA and the director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions Beverly Hills.
“Deaccessioning a Collection: Preparing Your Clients for Success” will be held by Vera Prather, a GIA G.G. and director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions New York, and Ana Wroblaski, a GIA G.G. and director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions Beverly Hills.
“Driehaus Museum: A Jewel Box of a Museum” will be presented by Lisa Key, executive director of the Driehaus Museum.
“Review of Ethical Standards and Their Application in Our Daily Practices” will be hosted by Steve Turner, CSM, a GIA G.G., and the president of Gemcorp.
“Appraisal Software Solutions: Exploring Their Use, Benefits, and Limits” will be moderated by Lance Nygaard, a GIA G.G., and Robertson. The three panelists are: Raphael Bovin from Instappraise, Richard Drucker from GAS, and Thom Underwood from QL2.
There will also be an optional workshop on Saturday titled “Decoding the Intangible Value Factors of Colored Stones” with Cigdem Lule, Ph.D. and FGA.
To attend this session, there is an additional fee of $200.
The conference will be co-located with the Instore show.
“We are excited to present this conference in connection with Instore. Access to the Instore Show provides an excellent opportunity for us to integrate mid-level market research into the conference agenda as well as for attendees to expand their network of established trade resource,” said Levine.
Registration for the conference is $425 for NAJA members before July 15 or $525 after; $600 for new members, including fees plus the conference; $650 for nonmembers before July 15 or $750 after; or $50 for vision screening on Sunday only.
For more information on the conference and to register, contact Gail Brett Levine by phone at 718-896-1536 or by email at office@NAJAAppraisers.com or naja.appraisers@netzero.net.
The Latest

Dallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.

The three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Jewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.


The collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.

Dhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.

SSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.

As Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.

Cole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.

Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.

Scheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

The beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.

The recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”

She wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.

Couture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.

The lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.

The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.

The Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.

The Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.

Marianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.

The New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.

Its app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
























