owner | appraiser | consultant

Kate Della Monica, GIA gg

SEPTEMBER 2023 7 HOUR USPAP UPDATE COURSE
SEPTEMBER 2021 15 HOUR USPAP COURSE

CURRICULUm VITAE

UNIFORM STANDARDS oF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE (USPAP)

October 2023  Accredited Member Gems & Jewelry
May 2023  Research Methods for Appraisers
April 2023  Legal & Ethical Aspects of Appraising
April 2023  Appraisal Writing Workshop
March 2023  theory & Methodology of Appraising

Appraisers Association of America (AAA)

December 2021 graduate pearls
october 2020   graduate gemologist
october 2020  graduate colored stones
june 2019  graduate diamonds
june 2017  diamonds & diamond grading

Gemological institute of America (GIA)

MAY 2012 BACHELORS OF FINE ARTS

moore college of art & design

biography

From a young age Kate Della Monica had a keen interest in heirloom items, rich with familial history & sentimental value. The first articles of interest primarily spanned the range of furniture, art, journals, & jewelry. Though most of the beloved pieces were fairly limited in monetary value, Kate loved to be surrounded by items used & loved by ancestors before her. Many evenings at home were spent watching Antiques Roadshow, ironically, listening to the same specialists & appraisers she would later come to know as colleagues & mentors.

In addition to objects, Kate inherited creative genes from prior generations. Her maternal grandfather was a culinary specialist in the navy, a welder, & made wooden furniture. Her paternal great grandfather, an immigrant from Italy, was a visual artist specializing in a variety of mediums such as pencil, pastels, plaster, metal, & photography. Kate followed in their footsteps & in 2012 graduated from Moore College of Art & Design with a BFA in 3D Fine Art (sculpture & installation). In addition to her focus, Kate completed a variety of studio courses in printmaking & jewelry making, learning several techniques such as etching, monotype printing, linocut, silver & brass soldering, chain making, & casting.

During & after college Kate gained experience working in the art industry for a private gallery in Philadelphia dealing primarily with early 20th century fine art prints & objects. The gallery owner would send Kate & her colleague to auction houses in NY, NJ, & PA to bid on her behalf & pick up/drop off property. During an unusual trip to NYC to drop off a consignment of a large pear-shaped diamond Kate became fascinated with the jewelry specialist’s knowledge & evaluation of the stone. It was at that point she decided to pursue a Graduate Gemologist diploma (G.G.) from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

In 2017 Kate applied for a position at Freeman’s Auction House as the fine art registrar based on her previous experience at the gallery. Coincidentally, Freeman’s was also looking for an administrator in the jewelry department, & while reviewing her resume noticed a list of completed GIA courses. She was hired & had the pleasure of mentoring under Virginia Salem, an Antiques Roadshow veteran. With Virginia’s guidance & training Kate honed a wide range of skills from client services & correspondence to evaluating & cataloging fine & estate jewelry. Kate advanced her position & responsibilities progressively from Department Administrator/Business Manager to finally Senior Jewelry Specialist in 2021.

At Freeman’s Kate achieved many milestones in her career that would prepare her for the next chapter. First, she received her G.G. diploma from GIA in October 2020. Then in September 2021 Kate became compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), necessary to perform ethical appraisals in accordance with the IRS. In December 2021 Kate received her Graduate Pearls diploma from GIA adding to her proficiency in gemology. Kate departed from Philadelphia in June 2022 to become a Regional Representative for Freeman’s in central Florida. It was then that she furthered her coursework to become an Accredited Member of the Appraiser’s Association of America (AAA). Having accomplished her goal of becoming a senior jewelry specialist at a competitive auction house, Kate decided to start her own independent appraisal practice.

As of October 2023 Kate has received the Accredited Member status at AAA with a specialization in Gems & Jewelry. She is currently up to date with USPAP & compliant through September 2025. Her areas of interest & expertise include but are not limited to diamonds, colored stones, estate jewelry, & signed jewelry. Kate is thrilled to begin her journey as an independent appraiser serving the state of Florida (& will travel elsewhere!) & welcomes the new challenges ahead.

When she’s not working Kate enjoys cooking, crafting, gardening, & playing music. Though she has made a few works since college, Kate ended up focusing less on visual art & more on writing & performing in a band affording her the opportunity to tour & travel to all but 2 of 50 states. She has lived in New York, Virginia, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Vermont, & now lives in central Florida with her partner Eric & their dog Fern.