Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference
“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers will hold its 65th annual “Ace It” Winter Conference in Tucson on Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026.
Rego Park, N.Y.—The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) has announced the details for its annual in-person conference in Tucson, Arizona, next year.
The 65th “Ace It” Winter Conference is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Tucson Convention Center.
Programming will take place in the convention center’s Maricopa Room.
An optional hands-on workshop is set for Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Robert James will lead the event, titled “Expert Witness Workshop! On the Stand: Expert Witness Techniques for Jewelry Appraisers.”
He will provide a complete overview of how jewelry appraisers can expand their services to include expert witness and litigation consulting for attorneys and insurance offices.
The talk will cover office requirements, expert witness fees, working with attorneys, investigation techniques, structuring the expert witness report for state and federal courts, deposition rules and procedures, trial rules, and procedures, and how to market expert witness services to law offices and insurance companies.
All attendees will receive a QR code to obtain a copy of the presentation.
The following two days will feature presentations, Q&As, and more hands-on sessions.
Presenters include “longtime favorites,” as well as first-time speakers, each set to discuss relevant topics with information that members can take back to their business and employ immediately, said NAJA.
Saturday will begin with registration and coffee at 7:30 a.m., followed by a welcome address at 8 a.m.
Jenny Luker, president at Platinum Guild International USA, will kick off the education sessions with “Platinum Unveiled: Properties, Hallmarks, and Appraisal Considerations,” an overview of what to know when appraising platinum jewelry, at 8:30 a.m.
It will be followed by gem cutter Justin Prim giving a session titled “Beauty, Value, and the Power of Gem Cutting” at 9:30 a.m. Prim will discuss the cutting process, how cutting can affect a gemstone’s final color, how to distinguish well-cut stones from poorly cut stones, and how recutting a stone can add to its value.
At 11 a.m., Stuller’s Guy Borenstein will give a talk titled, “Certified Hybrid Master Sets – Concept, Assembly, and Availability Details,” an overview of the grading tool and its features.
At 1:30 p.m., Stuart Robertson, president of Gemworld International Inc., will present “Colored Stones – Their Market and Price Trends,” a discussion on market fluctuations in supply, demand, and price for the 10 best-known gemstone varieties of the last 20 years.
The day will close with “The Landmark Changes at Tiffany,” at 3 p.m. The hands-on seminar, led by appraiser and specialist in Tiffany & Co. history, Lauren Abramowitz, will educate attendees on marks to look for when appraising Tiffany branded jewelry.
It will be followed by Robert James’ two-hour “Taking the Fear out of Watch Appraisals Workshop,” beginning at 4 p.m., which will offer training grounded in the USGI Certified Watch Professional program standards.
Related stories will be right here …
The 65th “Ace It” Winter Conference is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Tucson Convention Center.
Programming will take place in the convention center’s Maricopa Room.
An optional hands-on workshop is set for Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Robert James will lead the event, titled “Expert Witness Workshop! On the Stand: Expert Witness Techniques for Jewelry Appraisers.”
He will provide a complete overview of how jewelry appraisers can expand their services to include expert witness and litigation consulting for attorneys and insurance offices.
The talk will cover office requirements, expert witness fees, working with attorneys, investigation techniques, structuring the expert witness report for state and federal courts, deposition rules and procedures, trial rules, and procedures, and how to market expert witness services to law offices and insurance companies.
All attendees will receive a QR code to obtain a copy of the presentation.
The following two days will feature presentations, Q&As, and more hands-on sessions.
Presenters include “longtime favorites,” as well as first-time speakers, each set to discuss relevant topics with information that members can take back to their business and employ immediately, said NAJA.
Saturday will begin with registration and coffee at 7:30 a.m., followed by a welcome address at 8 a.m.
Jenny Luker, president at Platinum Guild International USA, will kick off the education sessions with “Platinum Unveiled: Properties, Hallmarks, and Appraisal Considerations,” an overview of what to know when appraising platinum jewelry, at 8:30 a.m.
It will be followed by gem cutter Justin Prim giving a session titled “Beauty, Value, and the Power of Gem Cutting” at 9:30 a.m. Prim will discuss the cutting process, how cutting can affect a gemstone’s final color, how to distinguish well-cut stones from poorly cut stones, and how recutting a stone can add to its value.
At 11 a.m., Stuller’s Guy Borenstein will give a talk titled, “Certified Hybrid Master Sets – Concept, Assembly, and Availability Details,” an overview of the grading tool and its features.
At 1:30 p.m., Stuart Robertson, president of Gemworld International Inc., will present “Colored Stones – Their Market and Price Trends,” a discussion on market fluctuations in supply, demand, and price for the 10 best-known gemstone varieties of the last 20 years.
The day will close with “The Landmark Changes at Tiffany,” at 3 p.m. The hands-on seminar, led by appraiser and specialist in Tiffany & Co. history, Lauren Abramowitz, will educate attendees on marks to look for when appraising Tiffany branded jewelry.
It will be followed by Robert James’ two-hour “Taking the Fear out of Watch Appraisals Workshop,” beginning at 4 p.m., which will offer training grounded in the USGI Certified Watch Professional program standards.
On Sunday, following 7:30 a.m. coffee service and morning notes, Duncan Parker will start at 8:30 a.m. with “History of Platinum.”
Stuller’s Harold Dupuy will follow at 9:30 a.m., with his talk, “Our Changing Industry,” an exploration of the current state of the jewelry industry.
At 11 a.m., Renee Newman, the author of “Pearls,” which was published this fall, will lead “Surprising Facts about Pearls You May Not Know.”
“The Luminescence of Diamond – The Science, Beauty, and Applications of a Little Understood Phenomenon,” will be presented by Dr. Thomas Hainschwang at 1:30 p.m.
The day will wrap up with Sammantha Maclachlan presenting “Through the Lens: Discovering the Secret Worlds Within Gemstones,” an exploration of the art and science of photomicrography, at 3 p.m. and conclude with Celine Rose David’s presentation “Eggs and Hammers: Art Deco Jewelry Innovation” at 4 p.m.
The final program is subject to change, NAJA said.
For more information or to register, contact NAJA Executive Director Gail Brett Levine at 718-896-1536 or via email at office@NAJAAppraisers.com or naja.appraisers@netzero.net.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
