WHY CHOOSE HERITAGE AUCTIONS?

Jill Burgum has dedicated the last three decades to the field of jewelry. After graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a B.A. in Art History, she attended Bowman Tech and Stewart’s International for training in jewelry manufacturing and repair. Her studies led to the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, California, where she completed degrees in Graduate Gemology and Jewelry Design in 1994.

Ms. Burgum began her professional career working for a private jeweler in San Diego, CA. She then moved to San Francisco as a jewelry cataloger for Butterfield & Butterfield Auctions in 1996. She transferred to their Los Angeles Jewelry department in 1997 as a lead specialist, eventually leaving to build two jewelry websites for start-up companies. She has also worked in retail jewelry sales and owned an independent jewelry appraisal business. Ms. Burgum is USPAP compliant. She is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, an International Member of the Jewellery Valuers Association (U.K.), the Scottish Gemmological Association, and the Women’s Jewelry Association.

She has contributed to Art + Auction, Brilliant, Eclat, Maine Antiques Digest, Modern Jeweler, MSN Money, and Rapaport magazines.  Ms. Burgum has been a guest lecturer for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum, Gem & Mineral Council, the Jewellery Valuers Association, the Women’s Jewelry Association, and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and has appeared as a specialist on HGTV, KTLA, CNN, FOX Business, and Antiques Roadshow.

Diane D'Amato is the Director of Luxury Accessories and Private Sales at Luxury Boutique. Diane established her reputation in the luxury accessories world through high-profile positions at Hermès of Paris and Louis Vuitton. Her buying trips to Paris played a key role in setting market trends in the United States where she oversaw more than $20 million in annual sales. Diane specializes in creating exclusive marketing partnerships and fostering loyal client relationships. Based in New York, she is an integral part of the talent-rich Heritage team, where she assists consignors and collectors with appraisals and supervises the category’s double-digit growth. Diane is also a sought-after speaker, available to lecture on handbag trends. 

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Diane has used her expertise to support extensive charitable fundraising, organizing sales that have benefited organizations such as the Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, FATE (Foundation for Autism Training & Education), Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital just to name a few.

Jim Wolf began his horological career in 1980 as an apprentice watchmaker and cataloger for Ashland Investments.  He quickly became a key executive in charge of sales and acquisitions and developed an industry leading catalog series presenting fine antique pocket watches, vintage wristwatches and estate jewelry.  As a dealer and advisor to watch collectors worldwide, Jim has provided expert consultation concerning values, authenticity, and investment potential.  Jim is also highly respected by collectors for his thorough knowledge of the historical, technical and aesthetic aspects of watches.  Mr. Wolf has been a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors since 1982 and a long-standing consultant to the authors of The Complete Price Guide to Watches.  Jim has written numerous articles for watch and jewelry publications including HR magazine, the NAWCC Bulletin and the Market Resource Guide.  He is also the co-author of The Complete Guide to Antique Jewelry.  

In the late 1970’s Mr. Wolf majored in classical guitar at the State University of New York and went on to a concert career as member of the Buffalo Guitar Quartet with appearances at Carnegie Hall and many major concert venues in the United States and Canada.  In the 1990’s, Jim played second chair cello as a volunteer with the Sarasota Pops Orchestra

Prior to joining Heritage Auctions, Ana Wroblaski has been involved in the jewelry business on various levels since 1999. Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, she joined John Moran Auctioneers in Pasadena during 2011 to take charge of their growing jewelry department. Previously, Ana spent five years at Bonham’s and Butterfield’s Los Angeles, first starting as assistant to the senior specialist before she was promoted to a specialist, appraising and cataloging jewelry that ranged from antique to modern.

Once Ana got a taste of working with precious metals on her own, she served as an apprentice with a master jeweler in the Downtown Los Angeles Jewelry District. Focusing on minerals and gems, she then went on to fabricate and design jewelry for her own line and others as well. Ana is a Graduate Gemologist, earning her diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) and is constantly continuing her education by attending workshops and seminars to stay abreast of treatments, new mine discoveries and current style trends in the jewelry world.  

Ana has earned and stays current with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and is currently working on the accreditation curriculum with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA).

Jessica DuBroc is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and obtained her Graduate Gemologist degree through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 2014. Her early interest in the jewelry business was inspired by her family, particularly her great-grandfather, a diamond cutter originally from New York, and her grandfather, who operated a wholesale jewelry business in Dallas. Over the past 20 years, Jessica has gained extensive experience in various jewelry venues, including wholesale diamond and colored stones, high-end retail, gold buying, estate consignment, appraisal, and auction. Jessica began her tenure at Heritage Auctions, Dallas, as a Consignment Coordinator and Cataloger, moving into the Consignment Director and Head Cataloger position in 2015/2016.

Since April 2019, Jessica has served as the Director of Jewelry, New York. Jessica is a Senior member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA), the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) where she has served on the Mentorship Committee since 2023, GemX, GIA Alumni NY chapter, American Society of Jewelry Historians (ASJH), and the Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts (ASJRA). She has also been actively involved with New York City Jewelry Week (NYCJW) since 2023.

Additionally, Jessica completed a 15-hour course and examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) in 2021 and 2023, with certification effective through 2025.

A Jewelry Consignment Director in Heritage’s New York office, Vera Prather has always had an abiding love for beautiful things. The native of Moscow earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and Ph.D. in Russian Language from Lomonosov Moscow State University with the goal of teaching it to others. Eventually, her affinity for fine jewelry developed from a hobby into a lifetime commitment once she pursued her passion with part-time work in that area.  

Vera started her jewelry career at Hamilton Jewelers in Princeton, New Jersey selling high-end contemporary designer jewelry and luxury timepieces, which gave her a good understanding of today’s retail market. She also attended numerous trade shows to buy pieces for their top clients. She later joined Fred Leighton in New York, learning about antique and high-end vintage jewelry from the Art Deco period while dealing with exquisite pieces from Susan Belperron, Rene Boivin, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels.  

Vera’s credentials include special training as a Graduate Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and Certified Gemologist Appraiser, AGS; she also is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA). Her favorite stones are turquoise and coral, and she loves old diamonds for their warm, hand-cut personalities.

Before joining Heritage as a Jewelry Consignment Director in its Chicago office, Jamie Henderson spent nine years at Leslie Hindman/Hindman Auctions as an account executive, catalog, and specialist for fine jewelry, timepieces, and artisan silver jewelry. Additionally, she worked at Professional Gem Sciences Laboratory laser inscribing diamonds and at the Haifa Faisal Collection of Saudi Arabian Traditional Arts as a catalog. 

Jamie’s initial love of jewelry came from her mother, while an affinity for science was inherited from her father, who was an Air Force officer. Living overseas as a child, she experienced influential locales such as the salt mines in Austria; traveling throughout the US, she also visited places such as the petrified forest in Arizona and the diamond mine in Arkansas. These adventures, as well as her experiences working at the Haifa Faisal Collection and the diamond lab, made her entry into the jewelry auction industry easy and appealing.

Holding a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Jamie is a current GIA student and holds Diamonds and Colored Stone Essentials Certificates. In addition, she is a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA), Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts (ASJRA), and National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC). Her personal collection jewelry collection includes a few hard-to-find silver Tiffany pieces and smaller Edwardian rings, and she is always on the lookout for an amazing silver artisan piece.

A native to DFW,  Corby Chambless has built a distinguished career rooted in a lifelong passion for fine timepieces. After studying Business at Tarrant County College, Corby began a two-decade tenure with the esteemed Haltom’s Jewelers, a cornerstone of the local jewelry community.  

Corby’s appreciation for watches began in his teenage years, collecting Swatch and Gucci pieces a passion that has since evolved into a refined expertise in horology.  

Starting on the sales floor, Corby quickly established a reputation for expertise and customer service, specializing in both fine jewelry and luxury watches. His career progressed into the corporate sector, where he focused on the buying and selling of high-end timepieces, further deepening his knowledge of the global watch market.

Gina D’Onofrio’s experience encompasses jewelry design and production, appraisals, buying and selling of contemporary, antique and period jewelry, sales and management, with work in the retail, auction, design and manufacturing sectors of the jewelry industry since 1985.

She received her Master Gemologist Appraiser® designation, upon completion of appraisal studies, written and practical examinations and peer appraisal report review with the American Society of Appraisers. In addition, she was awarded the Certified Master Appraiser designation with the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.

For two decades Gina operated an independent gemological laboratory and appraisal service, catering to private individuals, banks, trusts, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, legal firms and the jewelry trade in the greater Los Angeles area. She received Los Angeles Magazine's coveted "Best in LA" award for her Jewelry Appraisal Services.

Ms. D’Onofrio is passionate about jewelry history and education, having conducted presentations and speeches about appraisal and jewelry related topics to the Gemological, Institute of America, American Gem Society, American Society of Jewelry Historians, and numerous other appraisal and industry organizations. She also provides entertaining and informative talks to corporate, non-profit and private organizations.  Gina Serves on the board for the Accredited Gemologists Association, is past Gems and Jewelry Education Chair and Vice Chair of the Gems & Jewelry committee for the American Society of Appraisers.

Born and raised in the United States, Josh Hendizadeh has always had a huge passion for watches, whether it be a simple Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso or Philippe Dufour’s Duality. A vintage watch collector for the last decade or so, he has recently expanded his collection by adding select modern pieces. When the opportunity arose to open and curate a watch department for the Rago/Wright Auction House in Chicago, Josh took the leap and left his budding real estate career. Since then, he has helped watch startup Bezel grow from strength to strength and has written extensively for Watchonista. In search of his true passion, Josh decided to leave Bezel and join HA in order to work on and hunt the best vintage watches on the planet.

Josh has an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA in History from UCLA; both Summa Cumm Laude.