Monday, October 8 |
| 8:00am - 9:30am | Joint Conference Opening Remarks and Keynote Address: America's Economic Future
Where is the United States heading economically? What are the prospects for job growth, inflation and debt reduction in coming years? Are we losing our competitive edge in manufacturing? Is globalization good or bad for the United States? Are there any bright spots in the U.S.? Barry is a passionate free market economist who believes the best is yet to come for the U.S. and the world.
Barry Asmus, PhD, Senior Economist, National Center for Public Analysis
KC Conrad, ASA, CBA, CMEA, ABA, Principal, American Business Appraisers, LLC
Linda Trugman, ASA, CPA/ABV, CBA, Vice President, Trugman Valuation Associates, INC
Daniel Van Vleet, ASA, Managing Director, Stout Risius Ross |
| 9:30am - 10:30am | Evaluating Large Diamonds and Fancy Color
Some diamonds are in a class by themselves. Very large diamonds and fancy-color diamonds are two examples. How does the appraiser evaluate and value these extraordinary gems? Michael Holtzman has vast experience in the high-end diamond industry, and will share his expertise in evaluating and valuing these special diamonds.
Michael Holtzman, Candidate, American Society of Appraisers, Diamond Channel |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm | Valuing Jewelry Store Inventories
Occasionally, jewelry appraisers are asked to value the inventory of a jewelry store for collateral, estate settlement or other purposes. Often, but not always, the jewelry appraiser will be working in conjunction with a colleague from another discipline. Obviously, we will not be individually valuing every chain, ring or diamond in the store, but will use a sampling technique. Where do we start? What sampling techniques are accepted? How large should the sample be? What is the basis of our valuation? How do we handle stale inventory and what assumptions can we make? Les Miles, ASA is experienced in performing inventory appraisals and teaches a course on the subject. He will help you put another arrow in your quiver of appraisal expertise.
Leslie Miles, Jr., FASA, Asset Valuation Source |
| 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Joint Conference Luncheon and Awards Presentation |
| 1:45pm - 4:00pm | Ethics Challenge: Maintaining Your Ethics in an Unethical World
Sound ethics are vital to any professional practitioner, yet every day we observe unethical behavior in our public figures, celebrities and even colleagues. How do we maintain our own ethics? Where do our ethics come from? Do ethics derive from instinct? Training? Religion? If an action is legal, is it therefore also ethical? Can a person be moral and unethical at the same time? Immoral but ethical? In this thought-provoking ethics challenge, you will wrap your mind around these and other complex questions as you ponder and discuss two tough ethical dilemmas. Deane Wilson has studied ethics extensively—in fact he has a Master’s degree in the subject. You will leave this session with a new view of your professional stance.
L. Deane Wilson, ASA, MA, Owner, The Blackwell Group |
| 4:15pm - 5:30pm | State of the Estate Fine Jewelry Market
In this presentation, one of the leading dealers in estate jewelry will share his outlook on the current high-end estate jewelry market, as well as some of the unforgettable jewels he has encountered as a “treasure hunter.” All jewelry appraisers—as well as anyone who loves fine jewelry—will be captivated by Stephen’s unique understanding of the fine estate jewelry market.
Stephen H. Silver, GG, Stephen H. Silver Fine Jeweler |
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Tuesday, October 9 |
| 8:00am - 9:00am | Advances in GEMPRINT® and DIAMOND ID® Technologies
GEMPRINT® is the world’s most sophisticated, non-invasive, positive identification technology that records the unique optical ‘fingerprint’ of each diamond. This technology has been adopted by The FBI, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, The Government of the Northwest Territories, and has helped numerous law enforcement agencies and prosecutors prove theft and fraud cases during its storied history. Despite the complexity of diamond identification, tens of millions of dollars worth of lost and stolen diamonds have been identified and returned to their rightful owners. Gemprint has also been used for marketing programs, insurance incentives, and most of all, “Consumer Confidence.” If you have ever been asked the question, “How do I know I’m going to get my same diamond back?” then you need to see the ease of use of the new GEMPRINT® technology. A recent survey has shown that the emotion and sentiment associated with identification and recovery of one’s own diamond far exceeds the monetary value.
“Chain of Custody” is the new green technology term for “where did my diamond or gold come from?” GEMPRINT® and DIAMOND ID® have teamed up to provide absolute, verifiable methods using DNA technology. (SSS/DNA™)
Angelo W. Palmieri, MBA, Cert GA, President, GEMPRINT Corp. |
| 9:15am - 10:15am | Writing a Bullet-Proof Engagement Letter
The presentation will cover uses and purposes of a professional services agreement or engagement letter, and address the important legal provisions needed to protect the appraiser from litigation and ensure collections of fees. Topics will include litigation services, mandatory covenants precedent, use of legal counsel, and every-day practical aspects of liability control. This presentation is appropriate for all appraisal disciplines. Copies of his copyrighted PowerPoint presentation will be available on request after the presentation.
Steve Schroeder, ASA, MCBA, Schwartz & Associates, LLC |
| 10:45am - 11:45am | "Somewhere in the Rainbow" World Class Gem Collection
Come to the unveiling of the collection of world class gems that are being selected for the “Somewhere in the Rainbow” collection. We will have microscopes on site so you may form a “hands-on” acquaintance with some of these fantastic gems. Shelley Sergent is the Curator of the collection, and has been tasked with selecting the gems that go into it. Listen while she relates how she came into this awesome job and some of the challenges she has faced along the way.
Shelley Sergent, GG, Curator
Craig Lynch, GG, Owner/Operator, Ouellet & Lynch Appraisers |
| 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Lunch On Your Own |
| 1:30pm - 2:30pm | The Latest Changes in Watches
This all-new presentation by Kirk Root will bring you up-to-date on the latest developments in fine watches. There have been many changes to Rolex in the last few years, including a “random” numbering sequence and a new marking convention.
C.Kirk Root, ASA, ASG, GG, Accredited Senior Appraiser, Kirk Root Designs |
| 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Keeping Up with the Diamond Grading Labs
In this session you will see charts based upon actual research, first hand comparison, and historical data revealing patterns of deviation from the universally taught and accepted diamond grading system and nomenclature of Gemological Institute of America amongst major laboratories. Has GIA changed any of its standard grading or nomenclature during the last four decades? If other labs use the GIA nomenclature do they have a moral, ethical and legal obligation to adhere to the standards? How important are precision master color diamonds to your appraisal practice? We will discuss popular methods of using your master diamonds to grade mounted diamonds. How ASA Gems and Jewelry Committee can reach every willing MGA or Senior Accredited Appraiser in a round robin program to help harmonize your grading of mounted diamonds. Don will also discuss the “master color diamond set” certification being made available.
Angelo W. Palmieri, MBA, Cert GA, President, GEMPRINT Corp.
Donald A. Palmieri, ASA, GG, ASA, Master Gemologist Appraiser®, President, GCAL, Inc. |
| 4:15pm - 5:30pm | Contemporary American Indian Jewelry
Over the past fifty years, American Indian contemporary jewelry has transformed from a regional style to an art form of international acclaim. The enthusiastic response to Charles Loloma’s jewelry in the 1970s and 1980s by collectors in France, Germany and other European venues was an initial step toward firmly positioning American Indian jewelry within a world market. As Loloma’s innovative designs became accepted within the constraints that surrounded Native American jewelry, it became possible for the next generation of jewelers, many of whom are now accomplished in the field, to undertake varied avenues of design or techniques without restriction.
Diana Pardue, curator of the Heard Museum and author of several books on American Indian jewelry, will take us into the world of Charles Loloma, Kenneth Begay, Preston Monogye, James Little, Charles Supplee, Yazzie, Johnson and Gail Bird. Diana’s presentation will complement the post-conference presentation by Mark Bahti during the Gems & Jewelry field trip to Sedona, AZ on Thursday.
Diana Pardue, Curator, The Heard Museum |
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Wednesday, October 10 |
| 8:00am - 9:00am | Tracking Down Trademarks & Arabic Quality Marks
Some of the most important books in an appraiser’s library are the trademark books. The books, however, are time-consuming to use. Bill will demonstrate his trademark databases and how they benefit the appraiser. Not a massive list of marks but a real searchable database that allows the jeweler researcher to not only locate marks with ease but also copy-and-paste the exact verbiage needed for the report. Databases include eight countries, the United States as well as seven books, which are in the public domain – resulting in a database that includes both antique and contemporary marks.
In addition, Bill will demonstrate the Italian Maker Marks database that deciphers the providence plus number marks found on Italian jewelry and reveals the maker.
Arabic Quality Marks
What used to be a rare encounter is now a common occurrence – appraising jewelry made in Arabic countries. Yes, you can rely on testing the metal but there is an easier way, namely reading the quality marks. Arabic precious metal quality marks are not difficult to understand and are faster and easier than using acids and other testing approaches. Bill will explain the gold as well as silver marks that may be encountered on Arabic jewelry.
William Hoefer, GG, Hoefer Jewelry Appraisal |
| 9:00am - 10:00am | Testing Tricky Silver
Silver is being proclaimed the “new gold.” Appraisers are now being asked to qualify silver as part of their service. Testing silver colored metals either involves destructive tests or expensive equipment. Learn to detect silver imitations from silver with simple but effective methods. In this session, Bill Hoefer will demonstrate some methods that will help you to identify metals other than gold.
William Hoefer, GG, Hoefer Jewelry Appraisal |
| 10:30am - 12:30pm | “Do You Know What You Are Talking About?”
This expert, panel-led session is a comprehensive overview of the language used by attorneys, CPAs, bankers and auction houses, as it applies to the appraisal profession.
Andrea Fiuczynski, President, Christie’s Los Angeles
Jan Leonard, SVP and Managing Director, Fine Arts Management Services, UMB Bank
Michael Tucker, Shareholder, The Law Firm of Michael J. Tucker PC
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