Qualification
Qualifications & Experience
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Over two decades of experience in the jewelry sector: retail, professional laboratory, administrative and commercial.
International Qualifications & Memberships:
Professional Gemmologist & Fellow of the Canadian Gemmological Association of Toronto, ON
Core Course in Appraisal Studies, International Society of Appraisers, Chicago, IL
Provincial Instructor’s Diploma, Ministry of Advanced Education, Victoria, BC
Pearl Graduate Diploma, Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, CA
Registered Master Valuer Professional Diploma, #0021410137, California Institute of Jewelry Training, Carmichael, CA
ISA Antiques, Furniture & Decorative Arts (AF+DA) Specialty Course, Chicago IL
Antique & Vintage Jewellery Workshop, Northwest Gem Lab, Bellevue, WA
40 Hour Course: Understanding the Fundamentals of Watch Valuation, National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC), Columbia, PA
Pearls as One Course: Pearl Specialist Certificate, Cultured Pearls Association of America (CPAA)
15 hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course, ISA, Chicago, IL
ISA Core course in Appraisal Studies Re-qualification, Chicago, IL,
7-Hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, ISA, Chicago, IL
Certified Member and Accredited Member, International Society of Appraisers, Chicago, IL
Member, Canadian Chapter of the International Society of Appraisers, Toronto, ON
Member, The Association of Independent Jewellery Valuers (AIJV), Perth, Scotland. UK
Associate, Jewellery Appraisers of the World (JAW) Perth, Scotland, UK
Member, Society of Jewellery Historians, London, UK
Member, Canadian Society of Decorative Arts, Toronto, ON
A Bit of History:
It all started in 1994 with a part-time job working at an estate and vintage jewelry shop, From there a love and appreciation for antiques, jewelry, collectibles and their histories was born.
The initial curiosity about the history associated with antique and period objects grew much deeper over time. Being exposed and surrounded by these objects and jewelry items with their own individual histories made the discovery process fascinating. This would become a educational journey in itself.
There has always been a deep curiosity in the potential back stories associated with articles sold in antique shops. This led to a period of collecting that appealed to that sense of beauty, that were unique, and had history.
This fascination became a springboard to a formal education that started in gemmology and appraisal studies and would continue developing over time. This education has been followed by further specialty training in watch valuation and then in the field of antiques, household contents and decorative arts with ISA. These studies wouldn’t have been complete without obtaining memberships to professional appraisal organizations. Independent self-education meant acquiring and assembling a reference library on gems, period jewelry, and antique collectibles of all types that have age and historical significance.
Working within the various facets of the retail industry has taught this appraiser a great deal about markets and how the different types of personal property are traded and valued. Attending regular trade shows, seminars, appraisal specialty workshops, and appraisal conferences is essential to staying on top of any changes within the profession.
Accepted by insurance companies, retailers and the courts
