Presentations

1999: Professional Jeweler Magazine

In 1999, research and standards developed by Brian were first published in an article in Professional Jeweler magazine. His findings set a new quality benchmark and created a grading system that could measure the quality of any hearts and arrows pattern cut simply and effectively.

2004: 1st International Diamond Cut Conference in Moscow, Russia

At this conference, Brian presented a paper on how Hearts and Arrows are formed and how they should be graded based on his research done with his father in 1997 through 1999. The end result was that those who attended – a few major labs and my peers – approved of his hearts and arrows grading standards.

As one individual put it, holding to these traditional values has given us “self-imposed strict standards.” This is important because it gave consumers, as well as appraisers and labs, a standard to follow.

The reason for the publication and my commitment to raising the bar was due to the fact that Brian could not bear seeing consumers believe that they were buying real “Hearts and Arrows,” when in actual fact they were not!

2010: The American Society of Appraisers, Las Vegas, Nevada

In 2010, Brian Gavin was a featured speaker at the ASA International Conference Gems and Jewelry Program in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa. Here, Brian detailed the development of his Hearts and Arrows Grading System and the strict parameters he enforces to ensure true, symmetrical hearts and arrows patterning. Brian also recounted his entry into the Internet “e-tail” marketing business in 1999 and described his exciting journey of growth and success in the years since.