The Valuers' Conference 2026

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The 2026 Valuers' Conference, hosted by the Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV), will take place from the 16th to the 17th of May at Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham, offering an accessible and modern venue for attendees.

The Valuers' Conference, sponsored by Bonhams, is designed to provide a friendly, welcoming experience for all those interested in jewellery valuation and gemmology.

When: 16-17 May

Where: Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham

Pricing:
NAJ/IRV Member Rate
2 Day Ticket	£390 +VAT
1 Day Ticket	£225 +VAT
Non-Member Rate
2 Day Ticket	£440 +VAT
1 Day Ticket	£265 +VAT
Gala Dinner (included in the 2-Day Ticket price only)	£30 +VAT

View Event Guide

BOOKINGS NOW CLOSED

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edgbaston-park

The Venue

Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre is a contemporary hotel in Birmingham, nestled in leafy Edgbaston. Owned by the University of Birmingham, it offers a peaceful retreat and first-class conference and event facilities just two miles from Birmingham city centre.

The venue boasts free ultra-fast Wi-Fi and complimentary on-site car parking for guests. Even better, the hotel is outside Birmingham’s chargeable Clean Air Zone, so you don’t have to worry about incurring any additional fees when attending.

With state-of-the-art conference facilities, all easily accessible, Edgbaston Park Hotel is a great home for the Valuers' Conference.

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The Sponsor

We are delighted to announce that Bonhams auctioneers have returned as headline sponsors of the event, demonstrating the standing the Conference has amongst the jewellery world.

Kate Flitcroft, Co-Head of Jewellery UK,

Bonhams is delighted to partner with the NAJ and Institute of Registered Valuers as the headline sponsor for the indispensable Valuers' Conference, which offers a platform to share experiences and knowledge. The IRV is the leading voice for jewellery valuers in the UK, and its membership criteria is based on honesty, integrity, and professionalism – values that align with Bonhams.

Bonhams headlinesponsor

The Event

Saturday (Day)

On Saturday, 16th May, the Valuers' Conference will host a series of keynote talks and lectures, providing education and entertainment in equal measure. Come armed with pen and paper, as this year's Conference promises a diverse range of internationally acclaimed speakers.

This year's headline speakers include...

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Francesca Cartier Brickell - Author

Francesca Cartier Brickell is a direct descendant of the Cartier family. Her great-great-great grandfather founded Cartier in 1847. Her late grandfather, Jean-Jacques Cartier, was the last of the family to manage and own a branch of the world-famous jewellery firm. Leaving behind a career in finance to focus on independently researching her family history, Francesca wrote the best-selling book 'The Cartiers' and lectures internationally on Cartier's history.

Jonathan Darracott - Global Head of Watches, Bonhams

Jonathan has been responsible for the sale of one of the world's largest private single-owner collections of watches, the 2,000-strong Collection of a European Nobleman in 2015, and has also introduced the first of many online-only sales to Bonhams. He has led the watch department, not only to record-breaking sales, but also to be the current UK market leader for auctioning watches, and he is one of the few auctioneers who is also an accomplished watchmaker.

Sarah Caldwell Steele - Curator of Jet, Whitby Museum

With over forty years of commercial lapidary experience, a geology degree, and Fellowships of the Gemmological Association, she is now the leading authority on jet. She is also a PhD researcher at Durham University, developing new ways to identify and classify ancient carbonaceous materials in the archaeological record.

Mark Cullinan - CEO, Cullinan Diamonds

Mark Cullinan, great‑grandson of Sir Thomas Cullinan—the discoverer of the Premier (now Cullinan) Diamond Mine—was born and raised in South Africa. After a decade in London’s investment sector, he spent the next 30 years deeply involved in the diamond industry. Mark holds Diamond Grading and Rough Diamond diplomas from HRD Antwerp and has contributed to diamond prospecting efforts in South Africa. He is the owner and CEO of Cullinan Diamonds, specialising in diamonds, investment diamonds, and jewellery.

Dr Yun Luo - Director of Metrology and Quality Control, GIA

Dr Luo leads a team dedicated to the science of measurement in diamond grading. She focuses on aligning instruments with GIA’s rigorous standards and developing processes and resources that ensure measurement quality across all GIA laboratories. Dr Luo earned her bachelor’s degree from the Gemmological Institute at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and her PhD in Environmental Mineralogy from Miami University, Ohio. Since joining GIA’s Research and Development division in 2011, she has been committed to advancing measurement science to support research, production, and the integrity of GIA’s grading systems.

Justin K Prim - Gemcutter

Justin K Prim is an American gemcutter living and working in France. He has studied gem-cutting traditions worldwide and has attended gemmology programs at GIA and AIGS. Justin has taught gemmology and gemcutting at AIGS and IGT in Bangkok and is the founder of the gemcutting school, Faceting Apprentice Institute. He has published several books on gemcutting and also writes articles, produces videos, and gives talks on the history of gemcutting.

Saturday (Evening)

The gala dinner is a formal sit-down three-course meal available for all attendees. As well as a great opportunity to network and let your hair down after a long day of learning, the 2026 David Wilkins Award winner will be announced in front of their peers. Those booking a two-day ticket will automatically receive a ticket to the dinner. Those attending for one day can purchase a ticket for £30 +VAT.

Sunday

On Sunday, attendees will get hands-on experience with a series of workshops and masterclasses. These specialist sessions will provide valuable knowledge, whether you are an experienced valuer or a novice interested in gemmology and appraisal.

View Event Guide for Workshop Information