Events & AwardsJun 17, 2024
Instore Show, Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference to Co-LocateEvents & AwardsJun 18, 2024
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.
The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers mid-year conference will take place in connection with the Instore show, slated for Aug. 10 to 12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.
Rosemont, Ill.—The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) has announced the details of its 62nd mid-year conference.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
