#NAJA 46th Annual Mid Year ACE© It Education Conference to be held in Newport Beach, CA

ACE© It Conferences by NAJA

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) announces its 46th Annual Mid Year ACE© It Education Conference to be held in Newport Beach, CA on August 13 - August 16, 2016. 

The appraisal organization dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an unparalleled networking experience. 

NAJA welcomes your attendance to the Mid-Year ACE© It Conference. NAJA’s Conference is designed for the professional gem and jewelry appraiser and likeminded professionals with similar goals and related business challenges. Attendance at NAJA’s ACE© It Educational Conferences is a perfect opportunity to increase your skills, learn new information, and experience a peerless networking opportunity. Experts from the trade share their areas of expertise to further your understanding. 

An extremely well developed program is planned:

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Muzo Emeralds; Gemology, Mining and a Future Perspective -Ronald Ringsrud
The Challenges of Creating a Gemstone Brand - Patrick Coughlin, GIA GG
How To Identify A Luxury Counterfeit Watch - Joe Akar
The Old Euro Revisited - Michael Goldstein

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Treatments and Synthetics: A Visual Review - John I. Koivula, GIA GG
Digital Photomicrography for Gemologists - Nathan Renfro, GIA GG
Evaluations in a Millennial World - Anne Dale, FGA
Bird on a Rock: An Insider's Guide to Preparing a Blue Box Appraisal -
Lauren Kalman Abramowitz, GIA GG

Monday, August 15, 2016

Training Your Eye - Karen Lorene
Appraiser Challenges of a Lifetime - Richard Drucker, GIA GG & Stuart Robertson, GIA GG
The 1950s and 1960s: Change and Innovation: A Jewel for Every Taste and Every Person - Duncan Parker, FGA
Into the Depths of French Hallmarking... Come Out Singing La Marseillaise! -
Danusia Niklewicz, GIA GG and William Whetstone

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Appraising - From the Essentials into the Nonsense - Dave Atlas, GIA GG
The Appraisal Challenge - How Will Yours Hold Up? - Martin Fuller, GIA GG
Conflict Management: Tales from the Dark Side - Deborah Finleon, GIA GG

...and....

National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) was founded in 1981 on the premise that the specialized field of gem and jewelry appraising was an area that was long overdue for representation on a professional basis.  Also, there was a need for an appraisal organization specializing in only gems and jewelry, one which would not be subject to the confusion of diverse appraisal disciplines such as real estate, machinery & equipment, art, household contents, etc.  The NAJA was formed as a response to this need.  

The Association’s primary purpose is to recognize, and make available, the services of highly qualified, informed, experienced, independent, and professional appraisers of gems and jewelry to those members of the public requiring such expertise.  In addition, NAJA seeks to promote the trademark and professional designations earned by our members and to make available continuing educational materials in order to ensure that they are among the best informed appraisers in our industry.  

Finally, it is our goal to promote professionalism among our members as well as the industry as a whole.  All of the above should provide reasonable assurance to the public of the professional skill, integrity, and responsibility of our members.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the only appraisal association in the United States that devotes itself solely to the appraisal of gems and jewelry and silver flatware and holloware.  All of our energies focus on these, and only these, subjects which are updated with new information as it becomes available.

http://najaappraisers.com/

#NAJA - UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP FOR GEMOLOGY STUDENTS!

UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP FOR GEMOLOGY STUDENTS!

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) is pleased to announce that it will award anACE© It Appraisal Conference Scholarship to a deserving gemology student. NAJA invites GIA, FGA, FGAA, FGG, FCGmA, RGA students to apply for this scholarship for the 43rd Annual ACE© It Winter Educational Conference scheduled on February 1 – 2, 2015 in Tucson AZ.

This opportunity gives the gemology student a firsthand experience of networking with appraisal professionals by attending the highly regarded NAJA educational experience during a time when Tucson devotes itself to gems, jewelry, and minerals. 

 The scholarship, which covers the conference fee only, requires a resume, photo and an essay explaining the reason why the gemology student would choose to become a gems and jewelry appraiser. NAJA believes that becoming a gems and jewelry professional appraiser is a viable career option for gemological students.

Applications can be obtained through the NAJA website, www.NAJAappraisers.com, or by a faxed request to NAJA headquarters at 718.997.9057. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2014 and the final selection by the NAJA Scholarship Advisory Board will be announced December 1, 2014.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues. It offers education and networking opportunities with knowledgeable appraisal professionals. 

For further information, contact:
Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Dirrector,
The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers,
P. O. Box 18, Rego Park, NY 11374,
phone 718.896.1536 fax 718.997.9057,
                                                        naja.appraisers@netzero.net,
                                                        www.NAJAappraisers.com

GEMDIALOGUE® CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS

GEMDIALOGUE® CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS 

GemDialogue® takes pleasure in announcing a celebration of thirty years of continual service to the jewelry industry with its portable color memory system. Founded in 1982, GemDialogue® offers appraisers, dealers, jewelers and gemologists a repeatable and meaningful accurate color record for gemstones and colored diamonds. 

Howard Rubin, GG, inventor and founder of GemDialogue®, spent ten years developing the color system before offering it to the trade. GemDialogue® was engineered for the gem trade to supply portable, uniform color reference points in an affordable product. It offers a practical way to communicate with others in the gem trade, when talking about gemstone colors. 

The color communication system contains 21 basic transparent color charts showing ten different saturation levels for each color. A black to gray mask as well as a brown to light brown mask is also included. The charts and the color masks offer 60,000 color possibilities for matching. 

GemDialogue® allows grading color gemstones from transparent, translucent to opaque materials. Challenging variants such as dichroic, poorly cut, or zoned material are easily color graded. Rare material such as Paraiba, Burma and Kashmir poses no difficulty in color grading using GemDialogue®. 

Howard Rubin, who passed away early in 2012, leaves a legacy to the gemstone industry for the future. GemDialogue® is currently available and in addition to the Color Chart Manual it now contains the GemDialogue® Color ToolBox, Grading Manual, and an instructional CD. 

For further information, contact Gail Brett Levine, GG, GemDialogue® Systems, Inc., P. O. Box 18, Rego Park, NY 11374, 718.897.7305 fax 718.997.9057, gblevine@gmail.com, www.GemDialogue.com.

NAJA ANNOUNCES 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

NAJA ANNOUNCES 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) announces the winner of the 2012 ACE© It Conference Scholarship to attend the 39^th Annual ACE© It Winter Educational Conference scheduled on February 3 - 4 , 2012, Tucson AZ.                                         

                        

Ms. Kim Pascarella, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, is the 2012 winner of the annual scholarship.  Ms. Pascarella is a current home study student at the Gemological Institute of America.  Her jewelry journey started as a retail sales associate with a large corporate company.  She is currently General Manager at Joe DiMaggio Jewelers with a rich variety of responsibilities.  Ms. Pascarella says that “I love this job.  I’m passionate about our clients and this trade.” 

The NAJA Scholarship gives a gemology student a first hand experience of networking with appraisal professionals by attending the highly regarded NAJA educational experience during a time when Tucson devotes itself to gems, jewelry, and minerals.  NAJA believes that appraising is a viable career option for students of gemology.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues.  It offers education and networking opportunities with knowledgeable appraisal professionals.  

For further information on becoming a member of NAJA, attending NAJA’s Tucson education conference or the 2013 Conference Scholarship please contact: 

Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Director

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers

P. O. Box 18, Rego Park, NY 11374

718.896.1536  fax 718.997.9057

naja.appraisers@netzero.net 

 www.NAJAappraisers.com.

NAJA LAUNCHES NEW REDESIGNED WEBSITE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JEWELRY APPRAISERS

LAUNCHES NEW REDESIGNED WEBSITE

The international community of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) took an exciting leap under the visionary leadership of Gail Brett Levine, Executive Director, to repurpose their home on the Internet, into a world class "go-to" resource center to locate professional gemologist/appraisers.

The new access portal located at http://www.NAJAappraisers.com will assist the general public and professionals with an easy-to-use tool to find the perfect jewelry appraiser easily and quickly. "Although the web site has been redesigned, the most dedicated public relations and marketing push is to notify our public and peers, that NAJAappraiser.com is THE professional network and access portal for our industry", said Levine. Using traditional and non-traditional public relations channels, created a buzz around the November 2012 site launch but the most important tool is ease of access portals with smart phones, iPhone and iPad.

Smarter, faster and easier site access will assist consumers, as well as members, in finding the information on jewelry appraisers in different localities.  The mobile enhanced site will serve up instant information on NAJA members, jewelry appraiser’s specialty, location, and contact information, for laser quick communication.

"As a jewelry appraiser, you want to be able to have your prospective client not only find you on the Internet but also to find out as much information as possible to make the important, first contact, easy and painless." said Levine, "we also want to have peers in the industry able to locate their associates and friends at a moment’s notice."

To introduce the site enhancements NAJA is offering a free digital newsletter to the first ten visitors that give feedback on how the "Find an Appraiser" web visit assisted them in their jewelry appraiser web search.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the largest membership association specializing exclusive in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues. NAJA offers education and networking opportunities with knowledgeable appraisal professionals.

For further information and interviews, please contact Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Director.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, P. O. Box 18, Rego Park, NY 11374, 718.896.1536, f. 718.997.9057, naja.appraisers@netzero.net,  www.NAJAappraisers.com 

HOWARD RUBIN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

HOWARD RUBIN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) is pleased to announce a scholarship fund created to honor the memory of Howard Rubin, NAJA's National Secretary, who passed away earlier this year. 

The Howard Rubin Educational Foundation was formed to advance education relating to gem and jewelry personal property appraising and to assist NAJA members through scholarships for educational development to improve their capabilities by attending courses, classes, workshop and conferences.

The Foundation will initially present general scholarship awards of $500 each to one new (less than two years experience) and one experienced member.  Education opportunities for NAJA members include and not limited to:  GIA  specialized courses (i.e., Pearls), World of Gems Conference, Accredited Gemologist Association  Conference, Jewelry Camp, Gem-A Conference, Scottish Gemmological Association Conference, Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts programs, American Gem Society Conclave, MJSA Seminars, Society of North American Goldsmith Annual Conference, Diamond Council of America, Canadian Gemological Association Conference. 

                                               

Applications can be obtained through the NAJA website, http://najaappraisers.com/ScholarshipApp2012.pdf.    

Deadline for submission is June 30, 2013 and the final selection by the NAJA Scholarship Advisory Board will be announced July 30th, 2013.

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues.  It offers education and networking opportunities with knowledgeable appraisal professionals.  For further information, contact Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Director, The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers,   P. O. Box 18, Rego Park, NY 11374, 718.896.1536  fax 718.997.9057, naja.appraisers@netzero.net,  www.NAJAappraisers.com.            

MARTIN FULLER NAMED NAJA's NATIONAL SECRETARY

MARTIN FULLER NAMED AS NAJA's NATIONAL SECRETARY

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) is pleased to announce that Mr.  Martin D. Fuller, GG, Certified Senior Member, as NAJA's National Secretary.  Martin ably replaces the position held by Howard Rubin, NAJA's National Secretary, who passed away earlier this year.

Mr. Fuller's primary responsibility will be to represent NAJA at the Appraisal Foundation and the Industry Advisory Council.  He will be attending all meetings and serve in an advisory capacity on other Appraisal Foundation committees, as needed.  Secondary responsibilities will be to assist the Executive Director in course development, conference proceedings and other administrative functions.

Martin D.  Fuller is the Founder & President, Lab Director, of Martin Fuller Appraisals, LLC and Fuller & Associates, both located in McLean, Virginia.  He is an active appraiser/gemologist for over 35 years and world renowned speaker, mentor, author and educator.  He serves as a personal consultant to private collectors, governments, various prominent gem and jewelry associations and museums as well as an experienced expert witness on both federal and state levels.  Additionally, he has consulted for the U.S. Customs and the Department of Consumer Affairs, served in many jewelry related court proceedings. 

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers is the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues.  It offers education and networking opportunities with knowledgeable appraisal professionals.    www.NAJAappraisers.com

Appraisers Continuing Education: ACE™ It Conferences by NAJA

Appraisers Continuing Education: ACE™ It Conferences by NAJA

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers announces its 38th Annual Mid-Year Conference to be held in Bellevue, WA, August 11 – 14, 2012 at the Red Lion Hotel Bellevue.


The appraisal organization dedicated exclusively to gems and jewelry presents an outstanding program to assist the professional appraiser’s continuing education and an unparalleled networking experience.

As with all previous conferences, THIS conference has what appraisers need, what they desire, propriety diamonds, gemstone treatments, and an antique jewelry challenge. The last day of conference is even more desirable – appraisals issues – What Would YOU do? The four day conference is what every professional gemologist/appraiser needs!

The daily programs are:

Saturday – August 11, 2012 - Gemstone Science – Non-Fiction!

Analytical Microscopist – John Koivula, GG

Corporate Social Responsibility: Who is Accountable and Who is

Responsible AND … Who Should set the Industry Standards? The Lead

Glass and Corundum Fracture Filling or Manufactured Stone or Enhanced

Stones - Cortney Balzan, GG

Cultured Pearl Confusion: Which Sea Do You See? – Betty Sue King

Sunday, August 12, 2012  - Day of Diamonds! 

Sirius Star™ – The World’s Brightest Diamond – Michiel J. Botha, RS

Valuing the Color of Fancy Colored Diamonds – Vince Rundhaug, GG

Fire Polish: Play with Fire! – Glenn Markman, GG

How to Make a Defendable Set of Comparables – Joseph Tenhagen, GG

Monday, August 13, 2012 - General Jewelry

Knitted, Knotted, Twisted & Twined: The Jewelry of Mary Lee Hu - Mary Lee Hu

The Appraiser Challenge – Louis Scholz, PG

Building a Life, Building a Business: Surviving with Style and Enthusiasm – Karen Lorene

Tuesday, August 14, 2012 – Appraisals – What Matters

Are You Delivering Accurate Appraisals? Jan Thiel, Jewelers Mutual

Situations! What Would YOU Do? (Panel) – David Atlas, GG

The Appraisal Hall of Shame (Panel) – Martin Fuller, GG

For further information and conference reservations, contact Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Director, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, 718.896-1536, f. 718-997-9057, naja.appraisers@netzero.net, www.NAJAappraisers.com.

Gail Brett Levine Recognized As International Leader

Gail Brett Levine, GIA Alumni Receives the International Leadership Award

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) held their annual GIA Alumni Association dinner, auction and dance party on Feb. 3rd, during the Tucson Gem Show.  Gail Brett Levine, GG, was the recipient of the 2012 International Leadership Award for all she does to support the Gem & Jewelry Industries.

The GIA Global Alumni Awards recognize members who exhibit leadership, demonstrate service to the gem and jewelry industry, and actively support the association’s growth through continuing education and innovative programs.

Levine, an independent personal property appraiser, has been in the jewelry trade for 40 years and an officer in the Manhattan Chapter since the inception of the GIA Alumni Association in 1982. 

“I am proud that the Manhattan Chapter is one of the gemstones in the GIA ‘Tiara of Chapters,’” she said. “I want to express my gratitude to my fellow officers and everyone I’ve worked with to make it a success.”

In 1994, Ms. Levine started a subscription based publication Auction Market Resource for Gems and Jewelry which is an in-depth report by qualified appraiser/gemologists of sales results of jewelry at auction which previews gem material that was published semi-annually.  Auction Market Resource is now solely a website.  It is currently recommended by most appraisal organizations. 

On March 2004, Ms. Levine became the Executive Director of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers - the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues.    

 “The Institute commends Gail for her continued dedication to the GIA Alumni Association,” said Kate Donovan, GIA alumni relations manager. “The awards program was created to foster and inspire the alumni network, which includes 60 chapters worldwide. We thank these individuals for their enthusiasm and support of the organization.”