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I am the only Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser of the American Gem Society in the United States, Canada and Mexico that has held this title for 29 Years.

The above photo was taken in 2014 when I received my 20-year designation. 
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In 1975, I was recently out of college, married, living outside of Washington, D.C., and working in the travel industry. That phase of my life came to an abrupt end when my husband took a job in New Jersey. His job was near where I grew up and so we moved “home.” I started a business making and selling bead style necklaces to jewelers. I had an “in” as my stepfather, Howard Siegel (who later adopted me, when I was 27) owned Martin Jewelers in Cranford, NJ and was a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society.
Besides Martin Jewelers, Howard also owned an ear-piercing boutique in Cranford. When the manager left, he recruited me to run the boutique. I slowly also began assisting Howard at Martin Jewelers. The first time I knew about jewelry appraisals was when I typed one for him. In the mid 70’s when gold began rising, I also became the jewelry buyer for Martin Jewelers, as my stepfather’s comment was “I can’t buy at retail.” The American Gem Society gave me a scholarship for GIA courses and I was off on a new career. In 1981, I became a Registered Jeweler, a Certified Gemologist in 1983 and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser in 1984, all AGS titles. By 1984, I had purchased the Westfield, NJ branch of Martin Jewelers from my Dad’s (Howard) partner.
During the 1980’s, I was fortunate to travel to Brazil a few times being hosted by the Sabbagh (gemstone wholesaler) family. They took me to Santa Terezina (emerald mine), the Oro Preto museum, Capão do Lana topaz mine, Nova Era (emerald) & Belmont (emerald). I brought gems home and we made jewelry for our clients.
In 1990, I won the JCK Silver Peacock Award in Marketing for my pairing of Rolex and the Westfield Symphony Orchestra. The day I was presented the award was also the day I met my handsome husband, Ira Kramer. (I had been divorced since the early 1980’s). By the end of 1991, I had sold my store, married Ira and moved to the D.C. suburbs. Although Ira owned a jewelry store, I decided to start my own appraisal business. JoAnn Gill hired me to go to various mall stores to do appraisals. After about a year or so, Lynn Loube hired me for the Melart Jewelers’ account. Through Joanne Gill, I met Joe Tenhagen. The three of us went to the Smithsonian (while the Gem Hall was closed) and “played” in the vault. I remember that Joe was handed the Mackay emerald. I was draped in the Bismarck sapphire necklace, the Logan sapphire brooch and the “blue heart” ring. This began my relationship with the Smithsonian.
In the meantime, the American Gem Society had a new title, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser, which I received in 1994 after completing the ISA appraisal courses. It was during these courses that I met Amy Walter, who introduced me to NAJA. I joined NAJA in 1995, becoming a senior member. (In 2011, I became a Certified Senior Member). I had joined the D.C. GIA Alumni group (VP 1998-1999 and winning best chapter in the world), and was meeting various people in the jewelry industry. I was hired by Root Jewelers in Arlington, VA to do their appraisals, while maintaining an office for private clientele. Other stores shortly followed including Mangan Jewelers, B & C Jewelers, Heller Antiques, Limon Jewelers and Austin & Elkins.
One day, a man who had a thick Chinese accent called my office wanting me to grade rough diamonds. I tried to explain that I really did not appraise rough diamonds but he insisted and showed up anyway. As I started to color grade them, he said that they were CVD diamonds. I said there were no CVD diamonds like this yet. His reply was “I make them.” It turned out he was from the Carnegie Institute in D.C. where they were growing CVD diamonds and wanted a jewelry perspective on them. I called Dr. Jeffrey Post at the Smithsonian to tell him what had happened. It turned out a college friend of his, Russell J. Hemley, was running the program on CVD diamond growth at the Carnegie Institute. Dr. Post arranged a “sit down” for himself, Martin Fuller (who had given the Chinese man my number) and me with the scientists. They questioned us about the diamond jewelry business and then gave us a tour of their laboratory. Dr. Post then gave a lecture on the Hope Diamond being the “French Blue” for the team of scientists afterwards.
Ira and I went on an AGS trip to South Africa in 2001 partially sponsored by DeBeers. The first day we descended over 4,000 feet into a platinum mine. We took an elevator, walked to a tram, walked to a t-bar and then continued walking. I volunteered to jackhammer some platinum and was rewarded with a large rock containing a piece of the Merensky Reef (vein of platinum). Ira had to carry it for the 10 days of our trip! It now resides in the Smithsonian. The following days had us at the Premier Mine, in the boardroom of DeBeers and at a diamond cutter’s factory. The factory had many machines cutting diamonds. They also had a diamond grading set of 1-carat diamonds in every color including two G colors!
In 2009, we moved to Tallahassee, Florida to be near Ira’s family. My private business was slow so I commuted to the D.C. area about four times a year to do appraisals, until Covid. Having attended AGS conclaves since 1980 and NAJA conferences since 1995, the Covid break could have meant no education, but Zoom stepped in. NAJA put its terrific conferences online and many organizations contributed webinars that were wonderful, including GemFlix, Branko Gems, L’Ecole School of Jewelry Arts, NYC Jewelry Week, GIA, etc. I especially love the history of jewelry and researching items. Now that the auction houses and sellers of jewelry are all online, research has become so much easier than in the days of perusing catalogues.
So in 2023, I am back to traveling to the D.C. area and still have an office in Tallahassee. Although I have maintained my AGS credentials, I think every jewelry appraiser should be a member of NAJA. The education, assistance and camaraderie at NAJA are second to none. NAJA is an organization that truly supports its appraisers.
In 1975, I was recently out of college, married, living outside of Washington, D.C., and working in the travel industry. That phase of my life came to an abrupt end when my husband took a job in New Jersey. His job was near where I grew up and so we moved “home.” I started a business making and selling bead style necklaces to jewelers. I had an “in” as my stepfather, Howard Siegel (who later adopted me, when I was 27) owned Martin Jewelers in Cranford, NJ and was a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society.
Besides Martin Jewelers, Howard also owned an ear-piercing boutique in Cranford. When the manager left, he recruited me to run the boutique. I slowly also began assisting Howard at Martin Jewelers. The first time I knew about jewelry appraisals was when I typed one for him. In the mid 70’s when gold began rising, I also became the jewelry buyer for Martin Jewelers, as my stepfather’s comment was “I can’t buy at retail.” The American Gem Society gave me a scholarship for GIA courses and I was off on a new career. In 1981, I became a Registered Jeweler, a Certified Gemologist in 1983 and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser in 1984, all AGS titles. By 1984, I had purchased the Westfield, NJ branch of Martin Jewelers from my Dad’s (Howard) partner.
During the 1980’s, I was fortunate to travel to Brazil a few times being hosted by the Sabbagh (gemstone wholesaler) family. They took me to Santa Terezina (emerald mine), the Oro Preto museum, Capão do Lana topaz mine, Nova Era (emerald) & Belmont (emerald). I brought gems home and we made jewelry for our clients.
In 1990, I won the JCK Silver Peacock Award in Marketing for my pairing of Rolex and the Westfield Symphony Orchestra. The day I was presented the award was also the day I met my handsome husband, Ira Kramer. (I had been divorced since the early 1980’s). By the end of 1991, I had sold my store, married Ira and moved to the D.C. suburbs. Although Ira owned a jewelry store, I decided to start my own appraisal business. JoAnn Gill hired me to go to various mall stores to do appraisals. After about a year or so, Lynn Loube hired me for the Melart Jewelers’ account. Through Joanne Gill, I met Joe Tenhagen. The three of us went to the Smithsonian (while the Gem Hall was closed) and “played” in the vault. I remember that Joe was handed the Mackay emerald. I was draped in the Bismarck sapphire necklace, the Logan sapphire brooch and the “blue heart” ring. This began my relationship with the Smithsonian.
In the meantime, the American Gem Society had a new title, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser, which I received in 1994 after completing the ISA appraisal courses. It was during these courses that I met Amy Walter, who introduced me to NAJA. I joined NAJA in 1995, becoming a senior member. (In 2011, I became a Certified Senior Member). I had joined the D.C. GIA Alumni group (VP 1998-1999 and winning best chapter in the world), and was meeting various people in the jewelry industry. I was hired by Root Jewelers in Arlington, VA to do their appraisals, while maintaining an office for private clientele. Other stores shortly followed including Mangan Jewelers, B & C Jewelers, Heller Antiques, Limon Jewelers and Austin & Elkins.
One day, a man who had a thick Chinese accent called my office wanting me to grade rough diamonds. I tried to explain that I really did not appraise rough diamonds but he insisted and showed up anyway. As I started to color grade them, he said that they were CVD diamonds. I said there were no CVD diamonds like this yet. His reply was “I make them.” It turned out he was from the Carnegie Institute in D.C. where they were growing CVD diamonds and wanted a jewelry perspective on them. I called Dr. Jeffrey Post at the Smithsonian to tell him what had happened. It turned out a college friend of his, Russell J. Hemley, was running the program on CVD diamond growth at the Carnegie Institute. Dr. Post arranged a “sit down” for himself, Martin Fuller (who had given the Chinese man my number) and me with the scientists. They questioned us about the diamond jewelry business and then gave us a tour of their laboratory. Dr. Post then gave a lecture on the Hope Diamond being the “French Blue” for the team of scientists afterwards.
Ira and I went on an AGS trip to South Africa in 2001 partially sponsored by DeBeers. The first day we descended over 4,000 feet into a platinum mine. We took an elevator, walked to a tram, walked to a t-bar and then continued walking. I volunteered to jackhammer some platinum and was rewarded with a large rock containing a piece of the Merensky Reef (vein of platinum). Ira had to carry it for the 10 days of our trip! It now resides in the Smithsonian. The following days had us at the Premier Mine, in the boardroom of DeBeers and at a diamond cutter’s factory. The factory had many machines cutting diamonds. They also had a diamond grading set of 1-carat diamonds in every color including two G colors!
In 2009, we moved to Tallahassee, Florida to be near Ira’s family. My private business was slow so I commuted to the D.C. area about four times a year to do appraisals, until Covid. Having attended AGS conclaves since 1980 and NAJA conferences since 1995, the Covid break could have meant no education, but Zoom stepped in. NAJA put its terrific conferences online and many organizations contributed webinars that were wonderful, including GemFlix, Branko Gems, L’Ecole School of Jewelry Arts, NYC Jewelry Week, GIA, etc. I especially love the history of jewelry and researching items. Now that the auction houses and sellers of jewelry are all online, research has become so much easier than in the days of perusing catalogues.
So in 2023, I am back to traveling to the D.C. area and still have an office in Tallahassee. Although I have maintained my AGS credentials, I think every jewelry appraiser should be a member of NAJA. The education, assistance and camaraderie at NAJA are second to none. NAJA is an organization that truly supports its appraisers.

In 1975, I was recently out of college, married, living outside of Washington, D.C., and working in the travel industry. That phase of my life came to an abrupt end when my husband took a job in New Jersey. His job was near where I grew up and so we moved “home.” I started a business making and selling bead style necklaces to jewelers. I had an “in” as my stepfather, Howard Siegel (who later adopted me, when I was 27) owned Martin Jewelers in Cranford, NJ and was a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society.

Besides Martin Jewelers, Howard also owned an ear-piercing boutique in Cranford. When the manager left, he recruited me to run the boutique. I slowly also began assisting Howard at Martin Jewelers. The first time I knew about jewelry appraisals was when I typed one for him. In the mid 70’s when gold began rising, I also became the jewelry buyer for Martin Jewelers, as my stepfather’s comment was “I can’t buy at retail.” The American Gem Society gave me a scholarship for GIA courses and I was off on a new career. In 1981, I became a Registered Jeweler, a Certified Gemologist in 1983 and a Certified Gemologist Appraiser in 1984, all AGS titles. By 1984, I had purchased the Westfield, NJ branch of Martin Jewelers from my Dad’s (Howard) partner.

During the 1980’s, I was fortunate to travel to Brazil a few times being hosted by the Sabbagh (gemstone wholesaler) family. They took me to Santa Terezina (emerald mine), the Oro Preto museum, Capão do Lana topaz mine, Nova Era (emerald) & Belmont (emerald). I brought gems home and we made jewelry for our clients.

In 1990, I won the JCK Silver Peacock Award in Marketing for my pairing of Rolex and the Westfield Symphony Orchestra. The day I was presented the award was also the day I met my handsome husband, Ira Kramer. (I had been divorced since the early 1980’s). By the end of 1991, I had sold my store, married Ira and moved to the D.C. suburbs. Although Ira owned a jewelry store, I decided to start my own appraisal business. JoAnn Gill hired me to go to various mall stores to do appraisals. After about a year or so, Lynn Loube hired me for the Melart Jewelers’ account. Through Joanne Gill, I met Joe Tenhagen. The three of us went to the Smithsonian (while the Gem Hall was closed) and “played” in the vault. I remember that Joe was handed the Mackay emerald. I was draped in the Bismarck sapphire necklace, the Logan sapphire brooch and the “blue heart” ring. This began my relationship with the Smithsonian.

In the meantime, the American Gem Society had a new title, Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser, which I received in 1994 after completing the ISA appraisal courses. It was during these courses that I met Amy Walter, who introduced me to NAJA. I joined NAJA in 1995, becoming a senior member. (In 2011, I became a Certified Senior Member). I had joined the D.C. GIA Alumni group (VP 1998-1999 and winning best chapter in the world), and was meeting various people in the jewelry industry. I was hired by Root Jewelers in Arlington, VA to do their appraisals, while maintaining an office for private clientele. Other stores shortly followed including Mangan Jewelers, B & C Jewelers, Heller Antiques, Limon Jewelers and Austin & Elkins.

One day, a man who had a thick Chinese accent called my office wanting me to grade rough diamonds. I tried to explain that I really did not appraise rough diamonds but he insisted and showed up anyway. As I started to color grade them, he said that they were CVD diamonds. I said there were no CVD diamonds like this yet. His reply was “I make them.” It turned out he was from the Carnegie Institute in D.C. where they were growing CVD diamonds and wanted a jewelry perspective on them. I called Dr. Jeffrey Post at the Smithsonian to tell him what had happened. It turned out a college friend of his, Russell J. Hemley, was running the program on CVD diamond growth at the Carnegie Institute. Dr. Post arranged a “sit down” for himself, Martin Fuller (who had given the Chinese man my number) and me with the scientists. They questioned us about the diamond jewelry business and then gave us a tour of their laboratory. Dr. Post then gave a lecture on the Hope Diamond being the “French Blue” for the team of scientists afterwards.

Ira and I went on an AGS trip to South Africa in 2001 partially sponsored by DeBeers. The first day we descended over 4,000 feet into a platinum mine. We took an elevator, walked to a tram, walked to a t-bar and then continued walking. I volunteered to jackhammer some platinum and was rewarded with a large rock containing a piece of the Merensky Reef (vein of platinum). Ira had to carry it for the 10 days of our trip! It now resides in the Smithsonian. The following days had us at the Premier Mine, in the boardroom of DeBeers and at a diamond cutter’s factory. The factory had many machines cutting diamonds. They also had a diamond grading set of 1-carat diamonds in every color including two G colors!

In 2009, we moved to Tallahassee, Florida to be near Ira’s family. My private business was slow so I commuted to the D.C. area about four times a year to do appraisals, until Covid. Having attended AGS conclaves since 1980 and NAJA conferences since 1995, the Covid break could have meant no education, but Zoom stepped in. NAJA put its terrific conferences online and many organizations contributed webinars that were wonderful, including GemFlix, Branko Gems, L’Ecole School of Jewelry Arts, NYC Jewelry Week, GIA, etc. I especially love the history of jewelry and researching items. Now that the auction houses and sellers of jewelry are all online, research has become so much easier than in the days of perusing catalogues.

So in 2023, I am back to traveling to the D.C. area and still have an office in Tallahassee. Although I have maintained my AGS credentials, I think every jewelry appraiser should be a member of NAJA. The education, assistance and camaraderie at NAJA are second to none. NAJA is an organization that truly supports its appraisers.