Brooches to star at Valuers’ Conference Dinner during NAJ Summit 2021
29 Jun 2021
Historian and curator, Rachel Church, to host brooches masterclass as ‘theme’ emerges for Valuers’ Dinner on Saturday 11th September.
The Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) will return with a three-day Valuers’ Conference in September as part of the NAJ Summit 2021, which takes place from 11-13th September.
Download the NAJ Summit Brochure
The Conference includes a packed roster of headline talks, masterclasses and workshops designed for practicing jewellery valuers, retailers, sales professionals, students, and designers who wish to learn more and expand their professional horizons. As of June 2021, there are 41 speakers scheduled to contribute, with 27 different workshops and eight masterclasses to choose from.
Conducting one of the masterclasses will be Rachel Church, a jewellery historian and curator currently working in the Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics and Glass Department at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. She will reveal the ‘Stories in Brooches,’ as both contemporary and antique examples continue to soar in popularity among men and women on the red carpet and at auction.
Church says,
I think that brooches appeal because they can be made in such a range of sizes, styles, and materials, from a very discreet pin to a big statement piece. They are probably still more associated with women, but they have been appearing on some stylish male lapels and they can be used to dress up an outfit or in a fun, casual way.
In tandem with Church’s talk, visiting attendees will be asked to wear a brooch to the Valuers’ Dinner on the evening of Saturday 11th September as a way of spotlighting these historic and varied jewellery pieces.
IRV administrator, Sandra Page, says,
The Valuers’ Conference has been an important part of the world of jewellery valuations for more than three decades. Offering the conference as part of the NAJ Summit opens up what the conference has to offer to those who may have felt that the whole event wasn’t for them – but if only they could just attend, say, a workshop on identifying fake watches – well, now they can!
NAJ Summit attendees will have the opportunity to ‘pick-and-choose’ from a selection of talks and networking opportunities hosted by the IRV, the JET Business Network and the NAJ team, although some popular events may need to be booked in advance.
The Summit will take place at the De Vere Staverton Estate in Northampton, which offers a leisure club, spa and 18-hole golf course. It is conveniently located for UK business owners and within easy access of the M1, Birmingham Airport and West Coast Mainline, with a journey from London Euston to the venue taking just over 60 minutes.
Tickets for the NAJ Summit 2021 are competitively priced, with discounts available for on-site accommodation. Attendees can visit for one, two or all three days. Partners for this year’s event include Clarity & Success, Pursuit, Clogau, T.H. March, Parify and Green Rocks.
Church adds,
“This will be my first time attending the Valuers’ Conference. I'm looking forward to meeting people and talking about jewellery in a wider context than my familiar museum one. The trade has been amazingly adaptable during Covid with online talks, virtual viewings and a greater willingness by customers to buy online but meetings in person and casual conversations can be so valuable in sparking ideas or future projects. The Conference also gives attendees the chance to see such a range of demonstrations and masterclasses - almost too much to fit into a weekend!”
To view the most up-to-date Valuers’ Conference schedule, download the NAJ Summit 2021 Brochure below:
Download the NAJ Summit Brochure
Purchase tickets for the NAJ Summit 2021
Source: The National Association of Jewellers