I have been in the jewelry business for 29 years. I started when I was 16
working at Sommers Keepsake Diamond Center, at the time it was a
Madison jewelry store in Westgate Mall. I worked at Sommers Keepsake
Diamond Center, Goodman Jewelers 
and Ausman Jewelers.                                                                                                           
   
After I graduated from the Gemological Institute of America
(GIA) in 1986 and took the Jewelry Appraisal course at the GIA, in 1987, I then
opened my own jewelry business in 1987, appraising, buying and selling jewelry.

Before working in the actual jewelry business I used to go to Burnies Rock Shop as a
kid. My sister and I had a rock tumbler, I took a great interest in it and my childhood
hobby became my business.

I am an associate member of the Wisconsin Jewelers Association and have been a
judge many times, judging jewelry that is designed by jewelers and students
throughout Wisconsin.

I appraised jewelry to raise money for the Beloit Museum and PBS, along with other appraisers, appraising in their field of expertise.  I had the opportunity to work with several of the appraisers from the Antiques Road Show.