The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) has announced its 63rd ACE IT Winter Conference, scheduled for February 1-2, 2025, at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Arizona – coinciding with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair.
The aim of this partnership, according to NAJA Executive Director Gail Brett Levine, is to enable attendees to connect classroom learning with practical applications on the GemFair floor. “Access to the AGTA’s GemFair allows us to integrate what we learn in the classroom and apply it during the show,” said Levine.
Educational Focus and Opportunities
The conference includes workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities designed to support professional appraisal practices.
The event will offer hands-on workshops, presentations, exhibits, and interactive Q&A sessions led by experts, focusing on specialized areas of gemology and jewelry appraisal.
Presentation Highlights
The conference program includes a diverse line-up of speakers, featuring both industry veterans and new voices. Topics for the two-day event include:
Saturday, February 1
- Edwardian or Belle Époque Jewels by Duncan Parker, FGA
- The Challenges in Gemological Testing of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds by Thomas Hainschwang, PhD, DUG
- Gems with a Star: A Fascinating and Colorful World by Martin Steinbach, FGG
- Photomicrography: A Micro World within Gemstones by Samantha Maclachlan, FGA
- There’s Always Something New to Learn About Turquoise! by Helen & Richard Shull, GIA GG
- Period Jewels vs Style Jewels by Celine Rose David, PhD, GIA GG
Sunday, February 2
- Jewelry Industry Insights – Perception and Reality by Harold Dupuy, FGA
- In Search of Mayan Jade: Exploring Historic and Contemporary Artworks by Helen Serras-Herman, GIA GG
- Gimme Your Issues: Watches Edition by Reginald Brack & Marisa Palmer, GIA GG
- Helpful Books for Your Professional Library by Jo Ellen Cole, GIA GG
- Broken Bangle: The History of Jade Nomenclature by Richard Hughes, FGA
- Trick or Treatment: Detecting Enhancement in Ruby & Sapphire by Billie Hughes, FGA
Additional Workshops and Fees
An optional Opal Workshop on January 31, 2025, led by Travis Lejman, FGA, will focus on identifying and evaluating opals. The workshop is available for an additional $50. Vision screenings are also available on Sunday, February 2, for a $50 fee.
Registration fees are tiered based on membership status:
- NAJA Members: $425 (before January 15), $525 (after January 15)
- Nonmembers: $650 (before January 15), $750 (after January 15)
For additional information or to register, contact NAJA at 718-896-1536 or via email at office@NAJAAppraisers.com.
