Loading…
← Back to schedule
Communication in the Jewelry Appraisal Process: Soft Skills for Difficult Conversations
Thursday September 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Congressional B
The initial consultation with an appraisal client can present both challenges and opportunities for an appraiser. In this session you'll hear from a panel of appraisers from different business types and experience levels about some common real-world situations and how they've crafted conversations and questions for their clients.
Speakers
avatar for Joel Hassler, ACGA

Joel Hassler, ACGA

Owner, Von Hasle Jewelers
Joel started in the industry in 2000, earning his CGA in 2003. In 2018, Joel was chosen as one of the two new CGA Instructors to take over for Cos Altobelli, ECGA. Joel has been a presenter on appraisal and store operations topics at AGS Conclave since 2018. He is a past AGS Board... Read More →
Panelists
avatar for Andrea Venn, Ph.D., CGA, JEA

Andrea Venn, Ph.D., CGA, JEA

Education Program Specialist, AGS
Andrea began working in the gemstone and jewelry industry 30 years ago, and she continues to become more of an avid gemstone and jewelry enthusiast each day. She has enjoyed working in multiple facets of the industry, including inventory & logistics, sales, repair take-in, buying... Read More →
avatar for Mike West, ACGA

Mike West, ACGA

Gemologist-Appraiser, RF Moeller Jeweler
Mike West is the appraisal department manager at R.F. Moeller Jeweler. He is a buyer of pre-owned, vintage, and estate jewelry and he has earned his Advanced Certified Gemologist Appraiser credential from AGS.

When outside of the store, Mike enjoys sailboat racing for pleasure.

... Read More →
avatar for Randall Lightfoot, CGA, JEA

Randall Lightfoot, CGA, JEA

Gemologist-Appraiser, Mayflower Estate Buyers & Consulting
Randy Lightfoot earned his B.A. in the Geological Sciences from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, in 2013 with an emphasis on volcanology, igneous petrology, and mineralogy. His career has been spent largely studying the use of standard screening methods to identify clues... Read More →
Thursday September 17, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Congressional B
  Track, Appraisals

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Tweet Share

Get help with the event

Contact event planner Event login
View support guides Find upcoming events
Create an event you'd love to attend!
Explore why organizers choose Sched • Success stories
Event App • Event scheduling • Event registration • Event ticketing • Sched forms • Call for papers • Badges • Conferences
© 2026. SCHED LLC - All rights reserved - Helping events since 2008
Conference Scheduling App • Privacy • Terms
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link