The 2024 NAJ Summit a hit with attendees

By MH

July 12, 2024

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The National Association of Jewellers’ (NAJ) annual conference, the NAJ Summit, was deemed a success, with members and jewellery professionals from across the UK and further afield coming together for an extended weekend of learning and networking.
The 2024 NAJ Summit took place from the 22nd to the 24 of June and included a packed roster of presentations, masterclasses and workshops designed for the entire jewellery trade, from jewellery valuers, retailers and sales professionals to students and designers wishing to expand their professional horizons.

The 35th Valuers’ Conference, sponsored by John Pye Auctions, saw international and UK experts share their wisdom and expertise on Saturday. These included diamond grading and gemstone identification expert Branko Deljanin, former V&A conservator Joanna Whalley, Bonhams’ Sarah Fergusson, Gem-A tutor Charles Bexfield, forensic jeweller Dr Maria McLennan, GemLab Liechtenstein founder Dr Thomas Hainschwang, and Gemmology Rocks’ Kerry Gregory.

Day one also saw the presentation of the David Wilkins trophy. The David Wilkins Award is the pinnacle of achievement for jewellery valuers, made all the more prestigious as only members of the Institute of Registered Valuers vote for it. This year, Craig O’Donnell from the Birmingham Assay Office was presented the trophy by IRV Chair Heather Callaway.
On the second day, delegates attended a packed schedule of workshops and masterclasses, delving into everything from identifying natural and synthetic diamonds to establishing the first gemmology school in Ethiopia. The Sunday culminated in a panel discussion outlining the storms on the horizon for the jewellery trade, including rising gold prices and G7 diamond sanctions.

On Monday, the 24th, retail leaders joined the Retail Jewellers’ Congress, hosted by the JET Business Network, for a full day of talks and interactive sessions designed to help retail businesses to think different to be different.

NAJ CEO Ben Massey shares, “We are delighted that this year’s event was so well received by attendees. Many attendees were keen to share their positive thoughts with the NAJ team across the three days. This feedback will be invaluable as we shape the NAJ Summit into a key knowledge-sharing event in the jewellery calendar.

“We are grateful to all the amazing attendees, speakers, and sponsors who graciously shared their time and knowledge. Without their support, this event would not have been possible.”