The Institute of Registered Valuers' Annual Conference in Loughborough revealed the next step in their commitment to raising professional standards for Valuers with the announcment of a new qualification, the Certificate of Appraisal Theory, otherwise known as CAT. This will be an entry qualification ensuring that potential valuers fully understand the basic principles to be followed. [caption id="attachment_278" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Left to Right: Joanne White, Phil Withington, Carla Goodfellow, Lynn Jordan, Craig O'Donnell, David Byrne"][/caption] Representatives from SafeGuard and AnchorCert were pleased to sponsor and participate in the conference which was as informative, intense and sociable as ever. The level of specialist expertise and experience never fails to impress. As usual, topics spanned the centuries, with seminars ranging from antique silver items, presented by the Goldsmiths' Company and SafeGuard, to the latest state of the art CAD CAM modelling techniques which the skilful demonstrators proved to be incredibly efficient. Comparison with the masterfully detailed hand made plaster model of a bumble bee brooch, made by R. Hancocks in the 1960's, underlined how much the industry is changing and how important it is for professionals to keep up to date. [caption id="attachment_279" align="alignleft" width="285" caption="Steve Bennett - Gems TV"][/caption] Moving away from the historic and technical, delegates were treated to an insight into life at Gems TV, one of the first TV shopping channels to introduce 'reverse price' auctions for jewellery. Founder and Chief Executive, Steve Bennett impressed his audience with his candid approach and his obvious passion for his business which currently employs nine family members. While Gems TV's fast stock turn business model and pricing gives valuers a challenge when trying to determine an insurance replacement value, it was widely acknowledged that the airtime and exposure Gems TV gives to gemstones creates interest and demand which benefits the entire jewellery trade.

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