The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers has named the winner of the 2008 ACE It Conference Scholarship.

Valerie Arteman of Madison, Wisc., is the 2008 ACE It Conference Scholarship. She is a home study student at the Gemological Institute of America. Her experience in the jewelry industry started as a fine jewelry coordinator for Sears Roebuck. She continued her career with various sales associates positions at many fine jewelry retail stores.

Arteman receives a free scholarship to attend the 31st annual ACE It Winter Educational Conference, scheduled Feb. 2-3, 2009, in Tucson Ariz.

The NAJA Scholarship gives a gemology student a first-hand experience of networking with appraisal professionals by attending the highly regarded NAJA educational experience during a time when Tucson devotes itself to gems, jewelry and minerals. NAJA believes that appraising is a viable career option for students of gemology.

JCK