Cynthia L. Konney
Old Saybrook, CT
860-434-8885
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Master Gemologist Appraiser©
-American Society of Appraisers
Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser
-American Gem Society
Cindy started her jewelry career in 1970 while still in high school, working for a small hometown jeweler. She worked while getting her B.A. in Environmental Earth Science at Eastern Connecticut State University. She enjoyed the study of minerals and crystallography classes, which piqued her interest in gemology.
After college, she went to work for Lux Bond & Green, then based in Hartford, Connecticut, where her path quickly led to the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California to earn the Graduate Gemologist Diploma. After returning to Connecticut from GIA, Cindy continued to work with the high-end jewelry retailer for over 20 years, managing one location while performing appraisals and managing the service departments.
In 2001, Cindy left her career in the retail business, and started her own company; New England Gemological Laboratory and Appraisal Services, LLC. Cindy prides herself in attending national seminars and conferences to keep up to date with current changes, advances in the gemological and professional appraisal arena. She has attained the coveted Master Gemologist Appraiser© title from the American Society of Appraisers and has the Independent Certified Gemologist Appraisal title from the American Gem Society. There are less than 40 professional jewelry appraisers in the USA that have achieved this level.
We pride ourselves in the level of expertise that we have achieved to better serve our clients.
Qualifications & Memberships:
- American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
ASA Gems and Jewelry Specialty
ASA Accredited Senior Appraiser
ASA GJ210 Master Gemologist
ASA Master Gemologist Appraiser®
ASA GJ209 Jewelry Forensics for Appraisers
- American Gem Society (AGS)
Advanced Personal Property Appraisal Course
Certified Gemologist Appraiser
Certified Gemologist
Registered Jeweler
Past president and secretary of Connecticut Guild, American Gem Society
- Accredited Gemologists Association-Accredited Senior Appraiser (AGA)
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- Graduate Gemologist in residence
- Colored Stone Grading, Evaluation and Identification in residence
- Diamond Grading and Evaluation in residence
- Diamond Grading and Evaluation correspondence
- Identifying Diamond Clarity Characteristics
- Pearls and Pearl Grading
Certified Member National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA)
Jewelry Appraisers of the World - Member
American Society of Jewelry Historians - Member
Eastern Connecticut State College – 1973 to 1977-Bachelor of Arts: Environmental Earth Science
Morgan S. Konney
Old Saybrook, CT
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Apprentice Jewelry Appraiser
860-434-8885
Morgan is following her mother’s footsteps to become an independent jewelry appraiser. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, she applied to the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduated Gemologists program in residence in Carlsbad, California. After the taking one of the most prestigious credentials in the jewelry industry, the GIA Graduate Gemologist program, Morgan learned the comprehensive knowledge of diamonds and colored stones needed to succeed anywhere in the jewelry business.
After the Graduate Gemologist program, she worked in the Diamond Laboratory at GIA in Carlsbad, California as a diamond grader for three and a half years. There, she learned the official rules and guidelines beyond what the classroom taught.
In 2019, Morgan moved back to Connecticut to join her mother’s business at New England Gemological Laboratory and Appraisal Services.
“It’s a great opportunity and privilege to be working with my mother. I am learning from the best!”
Morgan is currently taking courses through the American Society of Appraisers to become a Master Gemologist Appraiser and continuing her education for years to come.
Qualifications & Memberships:
University of Connecticut—2010 to 2014 - Bachelor of Arts of Sociology
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Carlsbad, California
- Graduate Diamonds
- Graduate Color Stones
- Graduate Gemologist in residence at Carlsbad, California
- Jewelry Essentials
- Accredited Jewelry Professional
- Pearls
- Pearl Grading Lab
- Graduate Pearls
- Continuing Education
American Society of Appraisers
- ASA GJ201 Introduction to Personal Property Valuation 2018
- ASA GJ202 Appraising Gems and Jewelry for Insurance Coverage 2018
- ASA GJ209 Jewelry Forensics for Appraisers May 7th – 8th 2018
Caroline Berrettini
West Hartford, CT
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Independent Jewelry Appraiser
860-519-0673
Caroline spent many years in the legal profession as a paralegal and finally as a practicing attorney in her small hometown in Illinois when she decided it was time for a change. Instead of pursuing another job in the legal profession, she left her position as a juvenile prosecutor and drove to California to attend the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma in residence in 2000. Caroline spent over fifteen years working in the retail jewelry industry as an in-store appraiser for two companies that were members of the American Gem Society. Caroline continued her gemological training through the American Gem Society and attained the title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser in 2006. In her position as the primary appraiser for Lux Bond & Green, Caroline was also responsible for making private jewelry purchases for the company. In 2016, she left her position at Lux Bond & Green to use her experience as a truly independent jewelry appraiser.
Caroline graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in government. She received her J.D. from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William & Mary.
She is a member of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, the Accredited Gemologists Association and the Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts.
EDUCATION:
American Gem Society (AGS)
- Certified Gemologist Appraiser - 2006
- Certified Gemologist - 2002
- Registered Jeweler - 2001
- American Gem Society Conclave attendee
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- Identifying Treated Diamonds 2014
- Identifying Synthetic Diamonds 2014
- Graduate Gemologist - In Residence 2000
- Colored Stone Grading, Evaluation and Identification in residence - 2000
- Pearls and Pearl Grading 2000
- Diamond Grading and Evaluation in residence – 1999
College of William & Mary - Juris Doctor 1993
University of Notre Dame - 1982 to 1986 Bachelor of Arts - 1986
BUSINESS:
New England Gemological Laboratory and Appraisal Services - Affiliate
Lux Bond & Green - Appraiser - 2007 -2016
Trein's Jewelry - Appraiser - 2002 - 2007
Lux Bond & Green - Appraiser and Sales Associate - 2001 - 2002
Whiteside County State's Attorney's Office
Law Offices of Henry S. Dixon
Member National Association of Jewelry Appraisers
Accredited Senior Gemologist, Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA)
Member Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association
Member Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts (ASJRA)
Leslie S. George
Newton, MA
Graduate Gemologist, GIA
Independent Jewelry Appraiser
617-340-6383
Leslie turned a life-long interest in jewelry and gems into her profession when she attended the Gemological Institute of America, and completed the industry’s most respected program, the Graduate Gemologist Degree. Since then, she has worked in the Fine Jewelry Department of Skinner Auction Gallery, Boston, Massachusetts, and as an independent jewelry appraiser. Her expertise includes appraising contemporary, modern, estate and antique jewelry, as well as diamonds and colored stones.
Leslie graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a BS Summa Cum Laude. She also attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Chamberlain College, completing various courses in drawing and design.
She is a member of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, and the American Society of Jewelry Historians. Leslie has attended conferences across the country given by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and the Accredited Gemologists Associations. She continually updates her knowledge of the jewelry industry through participation in courses and seminars.
Leslie believes, “Jewelry is personal – it means different things to different people. But whether you want to insure your jewelry in order to wear it; distribute your jewelry equally among your heirs; buy jewelry or sell it – in order to do it wisely — you must know its value.”
An active member of the community, Leslie has been on the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is currently Vice Chair, Board of Directors of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence.
Qualifications & Memberships:
Graduate Gemologist – Gemological Institute of America
- Diamond Essentials
- Diamond Grading
- Diamond Grading Lab
- Colored Stone Essentials – Colored Stone Course
- Colored Stone Grading Lab
- Gem Identification
- Gem Identification Lab
- Pearl Grading Lab
Pennsylvania State University, BS Summa Cum Laude
Skinner Auction House, Fine Jewelry Department – Boston
- GIA Alumni Association Member
- American Society of Jewelry Historians Member
- National Association of Jewelry Appraisers Member
- American Society of Jewelry and Related Arts Member
- Accredited Gemologist Association Conference – Tucson, Arizona, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- National Association of Jewelry Appraisers Conference – Tucson, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Gemworld International World of Gems Conference – Chicago, 2012
- Gemworld International Corundum Treatments and Pricing – Boston, 2013