By Sharon Reed

Dr. Vitaly Guzhva Discusses the Aircraft Valuation Program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Aircraft appraisal certification candidate students based in the United States as well as from many other countries have attended the consistently sold-out American Society of Appraisers (ASA)/ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Aircraft Valuation Program at ERAU in Daytona Beach, FL. To meet the strong international demand, ASA and ERAU is considering offering this program in Farnborough, England in November 2019 and in February 2020. Additional overseas locations are to be announced by ASA/ERAU.

Frank Winkelmann, ASA, MBA, based in Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany, for example, recently attended the ERAU program in Daytona Beach. With more than 35 years of aviation experience, Winkelmann  said he chose to attend the program because obtaining the ASA certification will “increase the trust in the appraiser” in Germany. To read a Q&A interview about the program with Winkelmann, click here.

“To our knowledge, no other universities offer comparable programs,” according to Dr. Vitaly Guzhva, ERAU professor. “The program is a result of a unique partnership between ERAU and ASA. I don’t think any other university can offer a similar program without ERAU expertise and facilities.”

A Republic Airlines EMB-175 parked on the flight line at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus (Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

As the largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, ERAU is a private university system offering associate, bachelor, master’s, and PhD degree programs in arts and sciences, aviation, business, engineering, computer programming, cyber security and security and intelligence.

Launched in 2015, the ASA/ERAU Aviation Appraisal program is open to anyone interested in pursuing a professional designation with ASA. Program participants are required to take  a series of 4 courses for professional aircraft appraisers: (ME201ACS – ME204ACS). Successful completion of these courses provides students with the necessary fundamental appraisal coursework to apply for professional accreditation through ASA in the Machinery and Technical Specialties (MTS) discipline with a specialty in aircraft appraisal. Coursework also includes curriculum covering commercial, business and general aviation aircraft including fixed-wing and rotorcraft, and other aerospace assets.

The courses were developed by Dr. Vitaly Guzhva, ERAU professor and Dr. Sunder Raghavan, ERAU professor, in conjunction with Richard Berkemeier, ASA ARM, and David Crick, ASA.

Dr. Vitaly Guzhva (Embry Riddle/Daryl Labello)

“This is a great partnership between ASA and ERAU that works well for both organizations and helps the aviation appraisal community,” said Dr. Guzhva.

“ASA and ERAU are partners in educating Aircraft Appraisers. ERAU provides training, while ASA handles the accreditation of the appraisers. The ASA/ERAU program consists of four 30-hour courses that typically are offered from late September to March. To be eligible for the ASA accreditation, participants should take and pass all four courses,” said Dr. Guzhva. “In addition to great weather, this location offer participants a unique opportunity to use ERAU aviation facilities to learn practical skills in aircraft, engine, flight simulator, and UAS appraisal inspections and observe maintenance and flight operations.”

“In addition, we have many experienced aviation instructors here at Embry-Riddle. We have experts in all aviation areas: engines, helicopters, maintenance, UAS, flight simulators, aviation finance, legal, etc. We are currently in the third year of the program,” he added.

The tail end of a Diamond DA-42 on the flight line at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. (Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

“Typically the participants in the program are experienced professionals in aviation or the banking industry,” according to Dr. Guzhva. “Some of them have been aircraft appraisals for many years, but they did not have the ASA accreditation. We have aircraft brokers, aviation lawyers, consultants, and tax accountants in our classes. We also have appraisers with different ASA disciplines that want to learn how to appraise aircraft.”

Dr. Guzhva is a Professor of Finance in the College of Business of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he teaches Aviation Finance courses. He holds BS in Aeronautical Engineering, MS in Military Science, MBA in Aviation, and Ph.D. in Finance degrees, as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designations. As a military and corporate pilot, Dr. Guzhva has logged more than 5,000 flight hours primarily in high-performance jet aircraft.

For more information, visit appraisers.org or click here. Course registration is available through ERAU.

By Sharon Reed

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is hosting the  Mid-Atlantic Real Property Educational Conference at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ on April 10-11, 2019. To register online go to: www.njasaifa.com.

Conference Chair Robert Solotist, ASA, IFA, of R.A.S. Appraisal Associates in Parsippany, NJ, answered a few questions about the upcoming conference:

ASA: What is the focus of the Mid-Atlantic Real Property Educational Conference on April 10-11, 2019?

Bob Solotist: : Our focus is to provide good education for appraisers in the Mid-Atlantic states and  allow them to garner their CE credits for the entire year. The conference will expose them to a professional organization that works for the member in all things appraisal related, including local and national legislation.

Tropicana Atlantic City

ASA: Who are the opening speakers?

Bob Solotist: Our opening speaker on Day 1 is Dave Bunton, president of The Appraisal Foundation. Our opening speaker on Day 2 is Thomas Munizzo, ASA, IFA, one of our members from Chicago, who will address new proposals from the mortgage industry on the topic of Hybrid Appraisals. There will be many other great speakers at the conference, including Phil Crawford whose podcast ‘Voice of the Appraiser‘ is known throughout the country. Phil will be speaking on ‘Block Chain Data Management’ and ‘The Appraiser and Antitrust.’

ASA: Who are some of the other speakers?

Bob Solotist: Robert J. Luciani, ASA, IFA, ASA Real Property Committee chair, and William P. Wilson III, FASA, past chair of the ASA Real Property Committee and current chair of the ASA Real Property Education Committee,  who will be addressing areas in which to expand their business; Joseph G. Kettell, ASA, author, lecturer, expert witness, and Alexander L. Hazen, ASA, IFAS, both of whom will be speaking on ‘Assessment Valuation Issues.’

ASA: Who is the intended audience for the conference? 

Bob Solotist: Real Estate Appraisers from Virginia to Massachusetts which are states we have applied for CE approval. The conference is already approved for 14 CE credits in New Jersey.

ASA: What will people gain from attending this conference?

Bob Solotist: Education in adapting to new and better ways to perform job functions, along with the ability to expand their business into areas where they presently may not work. In addition, appraisers will be able to learn about current nuances and facts as well as having the opportunity to discuss their difficulties with other peers or find a mentor to help them with a hard case.

ASA: How many years has this conference been held?

Bob Solotist: The NJ NAIFA has been holding this conference for over 50 years, previously for New Jersey appraisers. With the merger of the two organizations we have expanded the conference into the Mid-Atlantic States. People helping organize the event are from local New Jersey and Philadelphia ASA chapters. As Conference Chair I am being assisted by assistant chair persons Charles E. Blau, Esq., ASA, IFAC, Paul D. Roberts, ASA, Francis C. Heil III, ASA, IFA, prior NJ State Director Sherrie Galderisi, ASA, IFA, SRA– plus a host of other members helping out wherever they can.

ASA: Is there anything else you’d like to tell ASA blog readers?

Bob Solotist: This conference is for the industry, not just for our members. Hopefully the venue will provide us the ability to showcase our talents as well as those of our sponsors. Our anticipated goal is to increase our membership and have people feel good about the industry knowing that someone is there to support them. It is the most reasonably priced Real Property Education Conference in the country, and all of your meals are provided.

To register online go to www.njasaifa.com. An early bird registration discount will be available through February 28, 2019. If you are a Real Property appraiser, join ASA between now and the end of the conference, and attend the full conference (including the reception), we will refund $50 towards your membership and you will attend the conference as a member, also saving you $50.

By Sharon Reed

Business Referrals are Among the Many Values of ASA Accreditation

BOCA RATON, FL– Duane W. Hutchison, ASA, GG (GIA), MGA, CIA, an independent jewelry appraiser/owner of D&H Jewelry Appraisals in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, FL, was recently hired for a major project by a high net worth client who found him through the Find an Appraiser tool on the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) website.

“I receive many high net worth referrals via the ASA website,” Hutchison said. “It seems when I get a call that involves complicated, extensive or high net worth assignment, the referral generally come through ASA. I get a lot of calls from Miami and the Palm Beach area to do high net value appraisals. The clients I get from ASA are generally a higher net worth client.”

This client, who lives in Ecuador, was in Miami in order to find out how to determine the value of and sell the jewelry that belonged to his late mother, who had lived in both Ecuador and Miami.

Hutchison’s client told him he found out about ASA by reading a Washington Post article: “How and where to sell unwanted jewelry, without getting scammed.” An ASA Appraiser, Martin Fuller, ASA of Martin Fuller Appraisals in McLean, Va. was quoted in the article. ASA was among the 3 appraisal organizations that were suggested in the article to reach out to for help in finding a qualified appraiser.

“My client researched all 3 organizations and said he found ASA to be the one he felt most comfortable with. He then looked at ASA website under ‘Gems and Jewelry’ discipline and found my name and then used the Find an Appraiser search tool to find my profile. We had an initial meeting to discuss the jewelry, his goals, and we came up with a game plan,” Hutchison said. “This is going to be a large assignment that will take a few months. My client told me he was happy he found me and very confident hiring an ASA appraiser.”

“One of the many benefits of ASA accreditation is the opportunity to members to post their profile with a description of their background, expertise and certifications, which often leads to obtaining new clients or possible media coverage,” according to Hutchison.

As an Independent Jewelry Appraiser and owner of D&H Jewelry Appraisals, Hutchison conducts jewelry and watch appraisals for insurance and estate settlements, from single pieces of jewelry to entire estates. He has also assisted with the selling of fur coats, coins and art work.

A 37-year veteran in the jewelry and watch business, Hutchison said he was hired for his first job in the jewelry business after graduating from Western Michigan University. Over the course of his career Hutchison has worked in management positions in a number of high end jewelry and watch stores. He also worked as an appraiser for a jewelry appraisal company in Miami and as a diamond buyer in Los Angeles before launching his own appraisal business in Boca Raton in 2012.

With that wealth of experience Hutchinson took the steps to become an ASA Accredited Senior Appraiser in 2015 by completing the four required courses at the Summer Appraisal Camp at Purchase College in Purchase, NY. He was subsequently designated as Master Gemologist Appraiser® (MGA) by ASA in 2016. Following that Hutchison completed the Personal Property Appraisal “Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice” (USPAP) course in Las Vegas, NV. In addition, he has taken additional ASA courses and attended ASA-hosted conferences to further his education.

“The education I received for my ASA accreditation was outstanding,” said Hutchison. “It took time but the results were an amazing education. Whether writing an insurance appraisal, estate appraisal, market value or marriage dissolution I feel confident that I have the best format and have the resources to ask for help and advice.”

“Second, the yearly ASA conferences and the presentations are the best. You leave with such an elevated education on a wide range of topics that you can use for years to come. In addition, ASA’s Gems and Jewelry Appraisers are top notch, well-educated and always willing to help,” he added.

“Becoming accredited with ASA takes time and requires an investment–but an investment that is well worth the time and money. Every year when I send in my membership dues I reflect on how much business I have gotten from ASA and send that check in with no hesitation,” Hutchison continued. “There’s a reason there are a limited number of ASA Gems & Jewelry Appraisers in the country–it takes time and discipline–but the pay-off is worth the investment.”

“If you want to elevate your appraisal business and take it to a next level then ASA is a must,” Hutchison emphasized.

To find out more about becoming an ASA Accredited Gems & Jewelry Appraiser, click here. To search for an ASA Accredited Appraiser, go to: appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser.

Duane Hutchison, ASA, currently serves as treasurer in the ASA Gems & Jewelry Discipline Committee. He is vice president of ASA’s South Florida Chapter.

Juanita E. Addeo, ASA

By Sharon Reed

ORLANDO, FL –The 53rd Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference was held on January 14-18, 2019 at the Orlando World Center Marriot Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Hosted by the University of Miami School of Law, the conference this year focused on providing practical guidance on today’s most important tax and non-tax planning issues, including the planning challenges and opportunities presented by the 2017 Tax Act.

Attendees at The Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning included all members of estate planning teams, including attorneys, trust officers, accountants, charitable giving professionals, insurance advisors, elder law specialists, wealth management professionals, educators and nonprofit advisors.

ASA Director of Membership Cindy Hinton

Patricia Atwood, ASA, Kenton Thompson

ASA was pleased to send representatives to the conference to help support ASA’s exhibitor booth, including ASA’s Director of Membership Cindy Hinton and ASA members Juanita E. Addeo, ASA, Patricia H. Atwood, ASA, and Jeffrey B. Reardon, ASA. ASA candidate member Kenton Thompson, ASA candidate member Liza Bowersox, and Daniel Kvarnberg were also on hand to answer any questions, provide information on what ASA has to offer, and inform all attendees about ASA’s free Find an Appraiser search tool. The volunteers played a crucial role in representing ASA and explaining the importance of having the ASA designation.

“I was very pleased to attend this year’s Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning Conference on behalf of the ASA Headquarters staff,” Hinton said. “There were many great opportunities for networking with conference attendees. Numerous people visited the ASA booth to learn about the American Society of Appraisers and the importance of hiring an accredited appraiser.”

ASA held a raffle with multiple prizes, including a large Yeti cooler and 4 Yeti tumblers. These prizes proved to be exceptional by the amount of business cards placed in the raffle bowl, more than 750 this year! Many attendees were impressed by the prize and spread the word, which sent a lot of traffic to ASA’s booth and gave ASA a greater ability to engage with conference attendees. The ASA prize was listed in the top 12 in an article in WealthManagement.com following the conference.

For more information regarding the “Find an Appraiser” tool, visit ASA Online or call us at (800) 272-8258.

To view additional photos taken at the Hecklering conference, click here.

By Sharon Reed

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Based in Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany, Frank Winkelmann, ASA, MBA, is a newly Accredited Senior Appraiser in MTS Aircraft. With more than 35 years of aviation experience (Appraisal, Audit, Engineering, Airline, Consulting and Training), Mr. Winkelmann recently chose to attend ASA’s Aircraft Valuation Program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, FL. The program consists of a series of 4 courses for professional aircraft appraisers (ME201ACS – ME204ACS).

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Campus (Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

Completion of these courses provides participants with the necessary fundamental appraisal coursework to apply for professional accreditation through ASA in the Machinery and Technical Specialties (MTS) discipline with a specialty in Aircraft Appraisal. The courses include curriculum covering commercial, business and general aviation aircraft, including fixed-wing and rotorcraft, and other aerospace assets. To find out more about the program, click here.

Frank Winkelmann, ASA, MBA, Aircraft Appraiser

Mr. Winkelman answered a few questions from ASA about the ERAU program:

ASA: Why did you decide to pursue the Embry-Riddle appraisal coursework?     

Winkelmann: My goal was to be an Accredited Senior Appraiser and my opinion was that ERAU is the only and best choice to reach this goal. ERAU is very famous and is providing excellent courses. ASA is recommending ERAU and this was very important for me, too.

ASA: What aspects of the courses did you find most useful for your career?

Winkelmann: All four courses provided by ERAU were very useful and have prepared me to appraise Business Jets. Very useful was the teaching of the “Three Approaches to Value.”

ASA: How will having the certification benefit you?

Winkelmann: I will benefit in certification because customers do expect that appraisers are accredited. The certification will increase the trust in the appraiser.

ASA: Have you worked in Germany throughout your career?

Winkelmann: I am constantly working since 1983 in aviation in Germany.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Campus (Embry-Riddle/David Massey)

ASA: Are there many aviation appraisers in Germany and in Europe?

Winkelmann: No, there only a few “active” aviation appraisers in Germany and only a very few are accredited. In Germany we have the “Verband der Luftfahrtsachverstängen,” which is an association of lawyers, tax consultants, pilots and appraisers, who are involved in aviation, are members. This association is about 50 years old. I cannot give detailed information about the situation in other countries in Europe because there are many different valuation systems.

ASA: What else would you like to tell prospective Embry Riddle/ASA students?

Winkelmann: Never stop learning. The first step is to study at ERAU and then to be accredited by ASA. But there are many ways to increase the appraisal knowledge, for example by visiting the course: “Appraisal Review & Management.”

To find out more about the Aircraft Valuation Program, visit: www.appraisers.org/Education/aircraft-valuation-program.

By Sharon Reed

Q&A with Sandra J. Tropper, FASA, Instructor of  “PG204-Personal Property Valuation-The Legal and Regulatory Environment“

BOSTON, MA–The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is hosting the course: “PG204-Personal Property Valuation-The Legal and Regulatory Environment” at  the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) in Boston on May 2-5, 2019. This course introduces students to compliance with laws and regulations in order to prepare Personal Property appraisal practices. Applying the concepts learned in the previous courses, participants expand their understanding of professional standards and the ethical requirements of an appraiser. The class allows students to utilize their analysis techniques for concluding Fair Market Value in an appraisal assignment. Further insight into the auction market, the insurance industry, and how tort law affects appraisers is covered in this class. PG204 also examines the legal court precedents on which many appraisal practices and regulations are based. This is the final course in the series of Principles of Valuation (POV) courses, a series that, in conjunction with the USPAP, forms a solid foundation for those working toward ASA membership and accreditation. This class is offered through ASA’s University Partner Program in collaboration with the MassArt.

The instructor, Sandra Tropper, FASA, owner of Artemis, Inc., is an Accredited Senior Appraiser of Fine Art based in the Washington, D.C. area. Sandra “Sandie” Tropper has worked as an appraiser and art consultant for over 25 years and has completed appraisals for estate tax calculation, estate and financial planning, insurance coverage and loss claims, division of property and non-cash charitable contributions. She has completed donation appraisals for properties that have been gifted to such institutions as the National Gallery of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Houston Museum of Fine Art, the Phillips Collection and the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Sandie has a BA in Art History and Political Economy from Sweet Briar College, and an MA from George Washington University in Art History. In addition, she has an MA in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University Paul Nitze School of International Studies.  

Sandie is an active member of the American Society of Appraisers. After serving for the ASA for four years as the Chair of the Personal Property Committee and nine years as Chair of Personal Property Education, she served for four years on the Society’s Board of Governors. She served on The Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council as the ASA representative for nine years and chaired the Council in 2011. She is an instructor for the ASA Principles of Valuation courses at numerous universities. Sandie is also an AQB (Appraiser Qualification Board) certified USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) instructor.

For more information or to register for the course, click here.

Sandie Tropper answered a few questions about this upcoming course:

ASA: Tell us about your upcoming course: “PG204-Personal Property Valuation-The Legal and Regulatory Environment.”

Sandie: The course on the legal and regulatory environment in which appraisers work provides students with the much of the rationale for the procedures or reasons that we do things the way we do. In addition to the standards and rules in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and from government regulations, statues and regulations, the various court cases — beginning in the early 20th Century — have provided appraisers with legal precedents that we still follow. The course points out the differences between appraisals done for different uses such as taxes or insurance; the requirements for appraisals completed for Fair Market Value are compared to those done for insurance coverage. In addition, this last course in the series of four looks  in depth at the insurance industry and the auction venue. Finally, appraisers learn how legal issues such as copyright and liability may affect their appraisal assignments and practices.

ASA: What types of professionals would be interested in taking this course?

Sandie: Participants in class vary in age, background and interests.  Auctioneers and dealers expand their businesses by learning about valuation theory. Conservators, museum staff and people from academia are able to use their knowledge about property to make career changes into the appraisal world. Many students are able to use what they have learned from their own interests and collecting into an occupation. This is the last of a series of four courses that enables careers transitions to occur. The 120 hours of coursework arms students with the fundamentals to become professional competent appraisers. These courses provide the student with many of the building blocks toward accreditation as a professional appraiser.

ASA: What’s exciting or of particular interest about the course?

Sandie: This course for me is one of the most interesting because it changes all the time. In class we cover recent events in the personal property world as well as market changes. The articles we cover in class come from the trade papers as well as the stories found on the covers of the major papers such as the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. We cover the record-breaking prices, the scandals and the successes in the world of personal property: art, antiques and decorative arts, books, manuscripts, musical instruments, etc. This course includes discussions and a lot of interaction among students, people who will become each other’s colleagues and resources in the future.

   ASA: What will Personal Property appraisers gain from taking this course?

Sandie: Personal property appraisers gain an understanding from this course about the environments in which they work — galleries, dealers, courts, and markets in general. They also are able to share with each other their personal experiences from whatever area they have come — collector, buyer, seller, dealer, conservator, curator, registrar, etc.

For more information or to register for the course, click here.

By Sharon Reed

Q&A with Susan Golashovsky, FASA, instructor of Upcoming Webinar: “Connoisseurs Have Information I Need (and What I Found Out By Asking)”

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is hosting an online webinar on Feb. 7, 2019, entitled: PP141-WEB – Connoisseurs Have Information I Need (and What I Found Out By Asking).  The webinar provides a variety of case studies showing interaction between subject matter experts, dealers, connoisseurs, and the appraiser. The program highlights information received from actual correspondence regarding assignments covering a variety of objects. Different valuation scenarios will be explored and discussed. Types of questions posed by appraiser and answers received from experts will be summarized. Questions will be taken at the end of the webinar. This course is suitable for levels of personal property appraisers, but especially beginner and intermediate decorative arts appraisers.

Susan Golashovsky, FASA, the course instructor, is a personal property appraiser with specialty designations in Antiques and Decorative Arts, Antique Furniture, General/Residential Contents and American Folk Art. She is an Accredited Senior Appraiser trained in theory and methodology by the American Society of Appraisers with over twenty-five years of experience. Her subject matter experience was gained through over twenty years as an antiques dealer and attendance at educational seminars such as Winterthur Museum’s course study program on Early American Material Culture. Susan is a past International President of the American Society of Appraisers.

For more information or to register for the webinar, click here.

Susan answered a few questions about this upcoming webinar:

ASA: Please tell us about your webinar: “Connoisseurs Have Information I Need (and What I Found Out by Asking).” 

Susan Golashovsky:  Every once in a while I come across items which are a bit different from the norm – an object that is unfamiliar or a rarity, or maybe it’s a situation that is unusual. In those instances, I need to seek advice or information.  I wanted to share my experiences, explain my thought process and show the benefits of asking for help.

ASA: What’s unique/exciting about this webinar? 

Susan Golashovsky:  I was at a conference and overheard a few appraisers speaking of shying away from assignments. I realized that a lot of sole practitioners (who may be qualified to accept an assignment) were afraid to tackle because of the difficulty.  I wanted a way to be able to tell them that an appraiser is not expected to know every nuance. These are stories about my assignments. I hope to communicate to everyone that all of us – no matter how long we have been appraising – need help. And how I personally went about getting that help across six different objects with six different sets of problems.

ASA: What is the chief benefit that an appraiser will have from watching this webinar?  

Susan Golashovsky: Hopefully, they will come away with a sense that they are not alone and begin to think of assignments, not as ‘Can I do this?’  but more along the lines of ‘Who can I reach out to in order to best fulfill my due diligence to this assignment?’

ASA: What types of professionals would be interested in the webinar? 

Susan Golashovsky: Although I feel everyone  might need reinforcement or perhaps a new way to look at old problems, I am most interested in sole practitioner candidates or freshly minted appraisers knowing what a seasoned appraiser does to make her life easier. And her report better.

ASA: Please tell us about your background.

Susan Golashovsky: I worked in real estate development and management and needed a diversion. I began to get interested in antiques when we purchased an 19th century farmhouse which needed to be furnished. What began as a sideline turned into three group shops and shows on the East Coast on weekends and during vacations (luckily my husband is an antiques lover). Sometimes, during some vacations I attended educational venues, like Winterthurs’  programs. My focus was Americana, but group shops are diverse and twenty-five years is a long time looking at a lot of different types of objects. Along the way I developed a love for research, almost as much as going to auctions and listening to the big dealers and collectors discussing the merits of a piece. Appraising was a natural next step.  I left the retail side after the middle market crashed along with the economy. I never stopped appraising. And I never stopped loving objects.

By Sharon Reed

RESTON, VA — Officials from the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and officials from the Korea Association of Property Appraisers (KAPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018.

ASA officials present at the event were: Robert Morrison, International President; Lee Hackett, Interim Chief Executive Officer; Bonny Price, Chief Operating Officer; Joseph Noselli, Chief Financial Officer; Todd Paradis, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer; and John Russell, Senior Director of Government Relations and Business Development.

Mr. Choi Kyung-Kwan, Executive Director, KAPA, and Mr. Jinwoo Jang, Team Manager, KAPA, traveled to ASA’s headquarters in Reston, VA to attend the event.

The meeting kicked off with a brief exchange of handshakes and exchanges of business cards, and staff introductions for the ASA officials in attendance. KAPA’s Executive Director Mr. Choi Kyung-Kwan then provided a brief introduction of KAPA and the roles of the attending representatives.

Next, a detailed overview of ASA was presented by Todd Paradis and other senior team leaders. The presentation covered ASA’s background information, mission, governance, structure, education/credentialing/membership programs, and strategic partners.

Following the presentation, KAPA representatives initiated a detailed Q&A about the U.S. appraisal profession, ASA’s role and opportunities for KAPA to partner with ASA to offer Gems & Jewelry and Business Valuation education in Korea.

The meeting closed with the signing of the MOU, a brief exchange of honorary gifts, photos and light refreshments.

“We were honored to have Mr. Jang and Mr. Kyung-Kwan visit our headquarters to sign the MOU,” said Robert Morrison, International President, ASA. “We look forward to a rewarding and mutually beneficial partnership with the Korea Association of Property Appraisers.”

Additional photos of the visit are available online.

By Sharon Reed

Q&A with Branko Deljanin, Gemologist & Instructor

Advances in technology have led to the development of synthetically grown diamonds which are virtually indistinguishable from naturally grown diamonds—posing challenges to appraisers. The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is offering an online webinar/practical workshop on March 28, 2019 to help jewelry and gem appraisers, dealers and gemologists learn about detecting treatments of natural and synthetic diamonds.

Taught by Branko Deljanin, President and Head Gemologist at CGL-GRS, Vancouver and Director of  Gemmological Research Industry Inc., the course: GJ119-WEB: Treatments of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds, will teach participants to learn to identify different types of diamonds, and to detect coated and heated diamonds. Participants will also learn how to screen for High Pressure, High Temperature “HPHT” enhanced type IIa diamonds.

Deljanin is a research gemologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gems. Since 1999 after detecting the first colored HPHT enhanced diamonds on the market, Deljanin has spent a great deal of time studying HPHT treatments of natural diamonds and ID of synthetic diamonds and natural pink diamonds.

ASA asked Deljanin a few questions about this upcoming webinar:

ASA: Please provide an overview of the upcoming live webinar course: “Treatments of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds.”

Deljanin: Visually, natural and treated diamonds can look very similar in color, but their values would differ significantly, highlighting the importance of detection. The use of treatments based on HPHT annealing, low-pressure annealing and irradiation, coatings and multistep treatments with the aim to alter the color of diamonds has become increasingly popular in the past 10 years.

ASA: Is the ability to differentiate natural versus synthetic diamonds critical for a gems and jewelry appraiser? Is it becoming increasingly more difficult?

Deljanin: Yes, the first step to differentiate natural versus synthetic diamonds is critical for a jewelry appraiser. With the improvement of growing techniques and post-treatment of synthetic diamonds, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to ID synthetic diamonds. 

ASA: If a gem is of synthetic origin then how would that impact its valuation for appraisers?

Deljanin: If the diamond is of synthetic origin value should be 50-60% off the same quality natural diamond.

ASA: What will the participants gain by taking this course?

Deljanin: Participants will learn to identify different types of diamonds and screen for “HPHT enhanced type IIa diamonds.” Possible treatments of natural and synthetic diamonds and their relation to types will be analyzed in order to know when to send stones to an advanced lab for further testing for natural, treated or synthetic origin.

ASA: What else should prospective students know about this course?

Deljanin: Beside theory part, this course will have the 1.5 hour practical session with standard instruments and diamond samples via cameras.

ASA: Are there any recommended readings for course participants prior to taking the webinar?

Deljanin: The following readings would be useful for background knowledge:

• The World of Pink Diamonds and Identifying Them, “Gemology,” by Branko Deljanin, Dr. Adolf Peretti and Matthias Alessandri
• NDT Breaking The 10 Carat Barrier – World Record Synthetic Diamonds Investigated, GemResearch SwissLab
• Identifying Diamond Types and Synthetic Diamonds with CPF (Cross Polarized Filters), by Branko Deljanin, 2nd edition
• Fluorescence as a Tool for Diamond Origin Identification – a Guide, by John Chapman, Branko Deljanin and George Spyromilios

Visit ASA’s Consumer Library to find more Gems & Jewelry Appraisal articles.

To find out more and register for “GJ119-WEB – Treatments of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds”: click here.

By Sharon Reed

LONG BEACH, CA — All Appraisers Aboard! Marine professionals–both commercial and yacht–and non-marine professionals interested in the marine appraisal profession may want to come aboard the legendary Queen Mary to attend the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Marine Survey course on March 21-23, 2019. Permanently docked in Long Beach, CA, the RMS Queen Mary is a retired British ocean liner that sailed primarily on the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. Currently the opulent 1,109 foot, 81+K ton ship serves as a museum, hotel and restaurant venue.

Lead instructor Norman F. Laskay developed the comprehensive 24-hour Marine Survey course. An Accredited Senior Appraiser of commercial marine equipment, Laskay is active with the ASA’s International Machinery and Technical Specialties Committee. Laskay is of Counsel at Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc., an organization of worldwide marine appraisers, surveyors and consultants.

In past years ASA’s Marine Survey course (ME-208) has been conducted at various locations in the U.S., including in San Francisco, Norfolk, New Orleans and Baltimore–and overseas in Russia and Australia. This is the second time that the course was been offered aboard the Queen Mary.

ASA asked Laskay to tell us a little about this upcoming exciting course opportunity on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.

Norman F. Laskay, ASA

ASA: Please provide us with an overview of the Marine Survey course that will be held on March 21-23, 2019.

Laskay: “The course is over three days with the last day, Saturday, reserved for a field trip, course review, and an optional exam. The course was written with all appraisers in mind, and it has been taken by ASA appraisers in everything from ‘Gems and Jewelry’ to ‘Real Property.’ Some have taken it just to learn more about the marine industry, while others have had an interest in extending their appraisal practice into marine assets. And among the attendees are many from banks and leasing companies, along with marine surveyors who want to ‘up their game’ and learn how to perform Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and court approved appraisals. While much of the course is for the novice with little or no marine experience, the covering of the three approaches of value as the marine industry sees it, the sample problems, and report format is very helpful for the experienced marine surveyor. Also, the ‘show and tell’ section where we go over dozens of slides helps in the important task of asset identification. You can’t decide on replacement cost or comparable sales if you don’t understand what is comparable.”

ASA: Why is the Queen Mary an ideal location to hold the course?

Laskay: Using the Queen Mary as a school room is just both a fun and practical thing. While much around us on the vessel is classic antique, the basic facts of ship construction are before us every day and the Long Beach port area provides some great possibilities for the field trip. While a field trip is not guaranteed, we have been lucky almost every year to make arrangements with some sort of working vessel. Since we are looking at working vessels, and the marine industry works 24/7, several times our ‘tour’ had to go to work!”

ASA: What types of industry professionals would most benefit from taking the course?

Laskay: As I noted previously, the course was written for those with no marine experience but has attracted those with a great deal of experience. This makes for good networking and an enhanced learning experience. It can be a pleasant and entertaining way to collect Continuing Education (CE) hours.”

ASA: Is the course for both commercial and yacht appraisals?

Laskay: The course covers both commercial and yacht appraisal with sample problems for each. It is interesting to teach a course where one points out it is all about the money generated (commercial vessels) and then go on to point out that other people will invest $200,000 to have an asset that may have a market value of $50,000 (yachts).”

ASA: Do you focus on how to prepare an appraisal report?

Laskay: “Sections of the course cover what should be in a marine appraisal report to satisfy USPAP, where to find data you need, different report formats, and a sample commercial and sample yacht appraisal. This is to help those who might be interested in writing such appraisals and for people, like lenders, so that they can recognize what information they should want in a marine asset appraisal.”

To find out more about ASA’s Marine Survey course (ME208-000), click here. Registration is now open and spaces are limited.