About Us
Jeff Allinson started out in the jewelry industry in 1977 as a goldsmith; repairing jewelry, stone setting and creating custom designs. His increasing interest in gemology led him to attend the Gemological Institute of America in 1980 as a resident student in Santa Monica, CA. While in attendance he studied, in depth, diamonds and colored stones, their quality, analysis and how to appraise them according to market standards. After graduating from the GIA, Jeff gained invaluable experience by conducting jewelry appraisal clinics nationwide, for Kay Jewelers, Inc. His work at corporate headquarters included jewelry appraisals, assisting the diamond department with grading of loose diamonds and as a consultant to Black Star and Frost (Kay's Guild Division) on estate purchases. Other experience includes jewelry store management, employee training, and sales.
For the last 19 years, Jeff has worked as an independent appraiser and consultant, with offices in Solovey Antique and Estate Jewelers in McLean, VA, gaining additional experience in circa dating and developing techniques in identifying the authenticity of important antique jewelry pieces. His expertise has been tried and tested by the curious customer who wants to know what kind of stone they have found, to pieces brought in for appraisal from renowned politicians of this and prior White House administrations. His knowledge is complemented by a wide base of reliable connections that have been made over the course of his career.