The Appraisers International Society (AIS) has announced enrolment is still open for its AiCertification 2015 course, which commences Monday 2 February (Tuesday 3 February AEST).
The online program – comprising a five course series on valuation appraisal for gemstones, jewellery, watches and other items – aims to educate people working in the industry about the differences between valuation and gemmology-based appraising.
It begins with the AiCore Valuation and Appraisal Fundamentals course, and upon completion, participants are eligible to undertake a gemstone and jewellery-related diploma.
According to Steve Crout, AIS gems and jewellery division chair and an appraiser and valuer at New Zealand-based Jubilee Jewellers, the program is at the “pinnacle of gemstone and jewellery valuation worldwide and is applicable to all consumer and professional client community valuations.”
AIS founder and president Elly Rosen said the organisation and its programs were widely recognised in Australia and New Zealand, adding that numerous alumni and one third of the founders of the society’s advisory group, AiGovernance Group, were based in the countries.
While Rosen acknowledged that some industry members did not see the merit in valuations and valuation certificates, he believed the answer to “bad” valuations was “good” valuations.
“Many throw their hands up in disgust and want to do away with ‘Valuations’ and ‘Valuation Certificates [sic]’ because they see them as illicit, unethical and just a glorified invoice used to lend credibility to sales prices or related value claims.
“While understandable, that reaction and panacea is incorrect on its face because the proposition is wrong – it's the ‘Valuers’ lacking knowledge of the professional valuation process which is the problem.”
The AIS is a US-based organisation that specialises in international property valuation and appraisal education, membership, certification and referrals.
More information about this year’s AiCertification is available on the AIS website.
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