The History of the Antique Diamond Trade
From the 1400’S to the 1900’S
With Gail Brett Levine
Place: Fashion Institute of Technology, Seventh Avenue and 27th
Street, Building C - Board Room
Time: 6:15 - 8:30 pm
Fee: $30 for nonmembers
FIT Faculty and Students Free
The Jewelry Design Professionals’ Network will host a special
evening on the History of the Antique Diamond Trade on Thursday,
November 1, 2007. Our guest will be Gail Brett Levine, Executive
Director of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the
largest association specializing in gem and jewelry appraising.
Diamonds have always played a major role in the history of jewelry,
from the rocks found in the ground to the crude off-round faceted
stones that were found in jewelry in the early years. Take a seat and
travel from the 1400’s to the 1900’s through Venice, India, Paris and
Belgium.
Mrs. Levine will chart the development of Table, Rose, Old European
and Old Mine cut diamonds that is integral to antique and period
jewelry. She will show us the various faceting and cutting techniques
that transform a diamond crystal into the beautiful gem we know it to
be.
Gail Brett Levine is an independent personal property appraiser and
has been in the jewelry trade for over thirty years. She initially
began as President of an antique shop in Alexandria, Virginia where
she specialized in antique, period and estate jewelry. She received
her GG in residence from the Gemological Institute of America and
currently serves on the Executive Council of the GIA Alumni
Association. She is the past President of the International Society
of Appraisers. In 1994 she started her own publication entitled
Auction Market Resource for Gems and Jewelry, which is an in depth
report by qualified appraiser/gemologists of jewelry sales at auction
which preview gem materials. Her publication is recommended by most
appraisal organizations. Currently, Ms. Levine is President of
Timeless, Inc., which specializes in insurance, estate claims,
donation appraisals of antique, estate and contemporary jewelry.
RSVP for reservations to Dana at @Dana_Buscaglia or
212-734-5939. For further about the Jewelry Design
Professionals’ Network, visit www.jdpn.org.