Final Keynote Speaker Announced for NAJ's 2025 Valuers' Conference

29 Apr 2025

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) is pleased to announce that an extra speaker has been added to this year's Valuers' Conference lineup. The 2025 Valuers' Conference, proudly supported by headline sponsor Bonhams, takes place on 7–8 June at the Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham.

This year's Conference features an engaging programme of presentations, workshops and masterclasses tailored to all sectors of the jewellery industry — from valuers and retailers to students, designers and sales professionals keen to enhance their expertise.

Dr Richard Taylor joins the list of internationally renowned speakers, with his talk, 'The "Idols Eye" – How to Value an 80-carat Blue Diamond.'

In a recent UK High Court case, the "Idols Eye," a historic blue diamond, became the subject of commercial litigation. Dr Taylor was instructed in the case as an expert witness and will describe and discuss the issues, principles, and lessons that can be learnt from the case. The presentation will be lively and thought-provoking and give an insight into the matters presented in this contemporary real-life valuation challenge. Dr Taylor is a recognised industry expert with over 30 years of international experience in jewellery, gemstones, and coins, combining leadership in valuation, research, and consultancy with a PhD in mineral physics.

Download Valuers’ Conference Event Guide

Previously announced speakers…

Kate Flitcroft - From Estimate to Hammer: Interpreting the Modern Auction Landscape

Co-head of Jewellery for Bonhams, Kate is also the principal auctioneer for the UK Jewellery department. Before joining Bonhams in 2021, Kate spent ten years at Christie's in London and was then Head of Jewellery and Silver at Lyon & Turnbull in London. Kate is a regular expert on BBC's Antiques Roadshow. In 2016, she won the Anderson Medal for gemmology from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Dr Aaron Palke - Geographic Origin Determination for Coloured Gemstones

Dr Palke is the Senior Manager of Coloured Stone Research at GIA. In this role, Dr Palke leads GIA's research into geographic origin determination for rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and other coloured stones, as well as improving criteria for identification of treatments for coloured stones. His talk will lay out the current state of science in geographic origin determination, point out the remaining problematic origin calls, and discuss solutions being researched to resolve these issues.

Dr Tehmina Goskar - Valuing Differently: Gems and Jewellery in Public Museums

If an auction house or dealer describes a specimen or object as 'museum grade', what does that mean, and how might a museum adding gems and jewellery to its collection view such items? How do public museums acquire gems and jewellery, and how do their attitudes and motivations differ from appraisers and valuers operating in the real world? Dr Goskar is currently Research Fellow at the Decolonising Arts Institute at the University of the Arts London and Research Curator at the Museum of Cornish Life.

Adrian Hailwood - Are We Nearly There Yet? Has the Watch Market Bottomed Out, and Where Does it Go Next?

Adrian Hailwood is the founder and Managing Director of The Watch Scholar, a training and educational support service for the pre-owned watch market. His 30+ years of experience has covered high-end retail, traditional, and online watch auctions, as well as valuing watches and writing for a variety of watch publications. Adrian's presentation will consider the current state of the watch market, the fall in pre-owned prices over the last three years and their impact on valuations.

Jason Williams - Valuing Gemstones in Turbulent Times

The gemstone market is constantly evolving, influenced by a range of factors such as depleted mines and rising demand. While coloured gemstones are enjoying a surge in popularity, this growth is concentrated in specific key areas. In this session, Jason will delve into the key considerations valuers should consider when assessing coloured gemstones. Jason Williams is a director of G. F Williams, a second-generation gemstone dealer based in Hatton Garden.

Dr Çiğdem Lüle - Value of Colour Through Millennia

Since colour remains to be the most important value factor for gemstone's value, perception of colour seems to be the most arguable concept in the gem trade in the past and now. Dr Lüle will share her observations on colour perception and discuss why our eyes haven't agreed on the colour of gems for millennia. Dr Lüle is a mineralogist, award-winning research gemmologist, and the Association of Independent Jewellery Valuers Executive Director.

Valuers' Conference Registration

Registration is now open, with one- and two-day passes available. Special discounted rates apply for NAJ and IRV members.

Ticket Prices:

Registration is now open, with one- and two-day tickets available. Special discounted rates apply for NAJ and IRV members.

NAJ/IRV Members

Two-day ticket: £390 + VAT

One-day ticket: £255 + VAT

Non-Members

Two-day ticket: £440 + VAT

One-day ticket: £395 + VAT

On-site accommodation is available at a reduced delegate rate for Saturday night.

The first day of the Conference features seven keynote talks from leading experts across the jewellery and watch sectors. Day two offers in-depth masterclasses and workshops, providing hands-on experience and specialist insight.

Saturday evening concludes with a three-course gala dinner, where the prestigious David Wilkins Award will be presented, and the new MIRV and FIRV members will be celebrated.

View Valuers' Conference 2025

Source: National Association of Jewellers