The Antique Jewelry & Art Conference, Inc.
Jewelry 2008 Speakers

Authorities from across the nation and the globe including Curators, Auctioneers, Appraisers, Dealers, Gemologists, Jewelers, Authors, Historians, and Collectors have been assembled to participate in this internationally acclaimed event.

Benjamin Macklowe of Macklowe Gallery Ltd., New York, specializing in the artwork of Louis Comfort Tiffany, French Art Nouveau furniture and objects and antique and estate jewelry. The Gallery's jewelry collection ranges from late 19th century makers such as Lalique and Castellani to late 20th century makers such as Webb and Grima. www.macklowegallery.com

Christie Romero is the director of the Center for Jewelry Studies, and the author of Warman's Jewelry, a price and identification guide to 18th, 19th and 20th century jewelry. An enhanced, color-coded spin-off of the Timeline in Warman’s Jewelry, called Collector’s Timeline, was published in 2004. Christie is a jewelry historian, gemologist, lecturer, instructor, consultant and collector. Christie has been teaching antique, period and vintage jewelry classes and lecturers throughout the country. She is co-director of the West Coast Chapter of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, and a member of the Society of Jewellery Historians (UK), the Costume Society of America, and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. She also participates as an appraiser for PBS' "Antiques Road show." She is a consultant to estate jewelers, auction houses, dealers, appraisers, and private individuals. She has also written articles for trade and online publications, and has been interviewed by television, radio, magazine, newspaper and Internet journalists. She was a contributing essayist on metalsmithing techniques for the exhibition catalog William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance, published by Harry Abrams in 2002. Christie resides in Anaheim, California. She is currently co-curating and co-authoring a jewelry and fashion exhibition and catalog for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. The exhibition will open in Fall 2010. She also teaches a jewelry history course for FIDM’s Jewelry Design Department. The Center for Jewelry Studies web site is www.center4jewelrystudies.org.
Christie is being sponsored by Diana Singer of D & E Singer

Deborah Crosby is the author of A Century of Jewelry: Classy, Flashy and Trashy! (Schiffer, 2005), Silver Novelties in the Gilded Age (Schiffer, 2002), Victorian Pencils, Tools to Jewels. (Schiffer, 2000). She is currently working on a book about charms and fobs; investigating how the imagery and symbolism expresses themes in American culture from the 19th century on. Deborah teaches art in Chappaqua, New York. She is also the president of the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers. Ms. Crosby is the mother of two lovely daughters (who enthusiastically support her interest in jewelry), and she is a proud participant in Jewelry Camp.

Diana Singer, GG, New York, NY - President, D&E SINGER INC, buyers and sellers of estate jewelry and gemstones. Founding member of WJA, recipient WJA Retailer of the Year Award 1988; Board of Directors member and Program Chair of the American Society of Jewelry Historians; director of advertising, M&L Singer Inc. 1981-1989; manager Antoinette's Estate Jewels (San Francisco) 1975-80; manager and buyer Antoinette's Estate Jewels (Madison Ave) 1980's; lecturer at GIA Symposium 2005; frequent lecturer at Annual Period and Estate Jewelry Conference, auction houses, conferences, industry shows; writer of articles published in Rapaport Diamonds, GIA magazine, JCK trade publication.

Gary L. Smith, GG,AGA,ASA, CGA, Montoursville, PA – master gemologist; appraiser & accredited senior appraiser, ASA; trained in Asia & Europe; first and foremost forensic gemologist in the United States; internationally known teacher, lecturer, master goldsmith specializing in identification and authentification, repair and restoration of antique jewelry & artifacts; appraiser for the State of Pennsylvania et al.

George Blair is the past owner of George Blair & Co. Fine Jewelry in Houston, Texas. George Blair & Co specialized in precious gemstones, antique and period jewelry, and Native American Jewelry. He has participated in workshops in Maine, Long Island, Tucson and Santa Barbara. In Houston he taught continuing education classes with Leisure Learning, Inc.

Gus Davis of Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd. New York, is a dealer of fine, period and estate jewelry on New York Madison Avenue. www.cdbltd.com

Joyce Jonas, New York, NY – director; president, Joyce Jonas & Associates, Ltd, specialists in all services relating to antique, period and modern jewelry; world renowned historian and educator; president emeritus, The American Society of Jewelry Historians; appraiser, “Antiques Road show” since its inception; adjunct professor of art, NYU’s Appraisal Studies in the Fine & Decorative Arts for 15 years; instructor, “Sotheby’s Institute;” columnist; vettor; www.JoyceJonas.com

Larissa Podgoretz, enamellist was Born 1948 USSR. B.A. In Russian Literature and Art History from Queens College, CCNY, New York City,1971. B.F.A. In gold and silversmithing from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel , 1976. Outstanding Achievement Prizes and scholarship grants in 1975, 1976 from the ISRAEL AMERICAN CULTURAL FOUNDATION. From 1979 to 1985 was lecturer at Bezalel Academy. 1985 to 1995 worked in the U.S.A. Since 1995 live and work in Jerusalem, Israel. Giving workshops in the U.S.A Her work has been exhibited throughout the world and have appeared in numerous publications http://www.studiolarissa.com  http://www.larissaenamels.com
Larissa is being sponsored by Mona Lee Nesseth

Lisa M. Stockhammer is currently the owner of The Three Graces and www.GeorgianJewelry.com, an online retailer that specializes in fine antique and period jewelry ranging from the 17th through the 20th centuries. With a focus on Georgian & Victorian jewelry, it was established in 2001. Ms. Stockhammer also consults and appraises on early jewelry and has been involved with antique and period jewelry for over 25 years both as collector, researcher and dealer.

Lori Ettlinger Gross is a writer, jewelry historian and author of Brooches: Timeless Adornment (Rizzoli, 2008). Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Variety, Palm Beach Illustrated, Shop Etc. and Sotheby’s auction catalogs. www.jewelhistory.com

Michael Goldstein, New York, NY – president, MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN, LTD., specializing in old European and antique-cut diamonds.

Natasha Kuzmanovic, Ph.D., History of Art, University of Michigan. Partner, I. JOSEPH CHIARELLO OBJECT CONSERVATION, NY; adjunct instructor, NYU’s Appraisal Studies Program in the Fine and Decorative Arts; author, John Paul Cooper, Designer and Craftsman of the Arts And Crafts Movement & Yard. The Life & Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard

Tom Burstein, Director of Client Services & Estate Jewelry of Harry Winston, Inc. New York. www.harrywinston.com

Victor Wiener served as executive director of the Appraisers Association of America for 21 years and is currently an appraiser in private practice and co-founder of the firm Wiener Wolf Associates, LLC He has worked for several international auction houses in London and New York, including Sotheby's and Christie's in Rome, where he was Director of the fine arts department.

A trained art historian he has worked for several museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has published extensively and is co-editor and a principal contributor to “All About Appraising”, The Definitive Appraisers Handbook. For over ten years he has been an adjunct assistant professor on the faculty of New York University's Appraisal Studies Program.

He has served as an expert witness in several high profile art cases including matters concerning the estates of Andy Warhol and Louise Nevelson.A certified instructor of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation in Washington, D.C., Mr. Wiener has co-authored several standards widely used by the profession, including those of the Appraisers Association of America and the appraisal paper issued by the Inland Marine Underwriters Association for insurance purposes. His testimony as an expert witness for the Government of Canada was influential in establishing case law for donations to charitable institutions in Canada.

William Drucker Mount Kisco, NY – owner of DRUCKER ANTIQUES, specialists in American 20th Century decorative arts, Georg Jensen Hollowware, Flatware & Jewelry & European Arts & Crafts period jewelry; lecturer; appraiser; co-author, Georg Jensen:20th Century Designs. www.druckerantiques.com

William Whetstone & Danusia Niklewicz, both experts in their fields of jewelry and appraising, have joined forces to create the most dynamic presentations on hallmarks available today. Combined, they carry nearly 70 years of experience in period and antique jewelry, precious metals, appraising, and education. Their goal is to bring the language of hallmarking back into the forefront as more jewelry is traded globally. William Whetstone is past President of the ISA, Appraiser, Expert Witness,and Historian. Danusia Niklewicz GG,FGA,ISA-CAPP,ASA is a past Instructor of the GIA, Appraiser, Expert Witness and Researcher. www.paradiseassociates.com & www.hallmarkresearch.com

All Bio’s are supplied by the speakers The Antique Jewelry and Art Conference, Inc. assume no liability on as for content or information supplied.