Press Releases

NAJA Offers Scholarship for Gemology Students

The deadline for submission is Nov. 1.

Published

4 years ago

September 16, 2019

INSTORE Staff

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) announces that it will award an ACE It Appraisal Conference Scholarship to a deserving gemology student. NAJA invites GIA, FGA, FGAA, FGG, FCGmA amd RGA students to apply for the scholarship for the 53rd Annual ACE It Winter Educational Conference scheduled for Feb. 2-3 in Tucson AZ.

This opportunity gives the gemology student a first-hand experience of networking with appraisal professionals by attending the highly regarded NAJA educational experience during a time when Tucson devotes itself to gems, jewelry and minerals. The scholarship, which covers the conference fee only, requires a resume, photo and an essay explaining the reason why the gemology student would choose to become a gems and jewelry appraiser. NAJA believes that becoming a gems and jewelry professional appraiser is a viable career option for gemological students.

Applications can be obtained at http://najaappraisers.com/ScholarshipApp2019.pdf. The deadline for submission is Nov. 1 and the final selection by the NAJA Scholarship Advisory Board will be announced Dec. 1.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”