CREDENTIALS
Scott Papper, GIA GG, CMA, RGA, AJP, CSMP, CSSP
Graduate Gemologist (GG)
Graduate Gemologist is the highest credential awarded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the field of Gemology. GIA’s Graduate Gemologist program teaches both the technical and the practical skills needed to evaluate diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls. Topics covered in this program include diamonds and diamond grading, colored stones and colored stones grading, gem identification, equipment and instrumentation, gem treatments and imitations, as well as market and supply chains. The Graduate Gemologist credential may be earned upon completion of five (5) online courses and three (3) hands-on lab courses.
Certified Master Appraiser (CMA)
Certified Master Appraiser is the highest credential awarded by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA). A Certified Master Appraiser must have been engaged in the practice of writing gem and jewelry appraisals for at least seven (7) years and have accumulated a minimum of nineteen (19) education points. A Certified Master Appraiser must have successfully completed the NAJA Appraisal Studies Course as well as the practical appraisal examination. A Certified Master Appraiser must have an NAJA Accredited Gem Laboratory and must achieve sixteen (16) hours of continuing education each year to maintain Certified status.
Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA)
Registered Gemologist Appraiser is the highest credential awarded by the International School of Gemology (ISG). The ISG Registered Gemologist Appraiser for Professionals Program is designed for those who have earned gemological diplomas from other accepted schools. It is composed of four courses: Introduction to Watches, Created and Treated Gemstones, Jewelry Insurance Appraisal and Evaluating Damage Jewelry. The Introduction to Watches and Created and Treated Gemstones courses are intended to bring the student’s gemology education up to the level required for our Registered Gemologist Appraiser program. Prior completion of NAJA’s Appraisal Studies Course was credited as equivalent to the Jewelry Insurance Appraisal course. The Evaluating Damaged Jewelry course is unique in the industry and is required of all RGA candidates.
Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP)
Applied Jewelry Professional is a credential awarded by GIA upon the completion of the following three (3) courses: Jewelry Essentials, Diamond Essentials and Colored Stones Essentials. The Applied Jewelry Professional program covers topics such as jewelry designs, setting styles, jewelry care, as well as basic information about diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Graduate Diamonds (GD)
The Graduate Diamonds diploma program examines the technical expertise needed to grade, buy, and sell diamonds with the insight of a seasoned professional. This diploma program explores the GIA diamond grading procedures to assess the 4Cs – color, clarity, cut and carat weight – and how they affect diamond value. Students use professional diamond grading equipment for the purposes of examining a diamond’s quality characteristics to grade and identify diamonds.
Graduate Colored Stones (GCS)
The Graduate Colored Stones diploma program explores more than 60 species of common and collector gemstones found in the marketplace. Subjects covered include the GIA Colored Stone Grading System, gemstone formation, composition, sources and how to distinguish natural, treated and laboratory-grown gemstones. Students learn how to operate gemological equipment effectively to identify gemstones, as well as learn about the different value factors of colored gems.
Graduate Pearls (GP)
The Graduate Pearls diploma program teaches GIA’s 7 Pearl Value Factors™: size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality and matching – the essential criteria for assessing the value and beauty of pearls. The program also discusses how market factors and the supply chain affect value. The Graduate Pearls credential may be earned upon the completion of one (1) online course and one (1) hands-on lab course.
Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP)
The Certified Senior Sales Professional designation is awarded by JA upon successful completion of two (2) Certified Sales Professional Exams. This certification requires moderate to advanced sales skills and knowledge of a jewelry sales professional, and at least one year’s experience.
Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
The Certified Senior Sales Professional designation is awarded by JA upon successful completion of two (2) Certified Sales Professional Exams. This certification requires moderate to advanced sales skills and knowledge of a jewelry sales professional, and at least one year’s experience.
CPAA Certified Cultured Pearl Specialist
The CPAA Certified Cultured Pearl Specialist designation is awarded by the Cultured Pearl Association of America upon the completion of the PAO Pearl Specialist Course. The course discusses the location, history, value factors, and culturing process behind many varieties of cultured pearls including akoya, freshwater, Tahitian, and South Sea.
About The Appraiser
Family Business
Scott Papper is a 4th generation gem and jewelry professional whose family business was established in 1915. Scott's Great Grandfather, Henry Papper, opened the first ever pawnshop in Saint Louis County, Missouri. Scott's Grandfather, Max Papper, carried on the family tradition and passed the generational knowledge down to Scott's Father, Frank Papper. Scott began his career by working at his father's pawnshop in Deerfield Beach, Florida, taking on a full time position in 2009.
Education
Scott studied diamonds and gemology at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Upon graduating from GIA's Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, California, in 2017, he attained one of the industry's most prestigious credentials: Graduate Gemologist (GG), as well as the Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) credential.
In 2020, Scott earned the highest credential awarded by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, Certified Master Appraiser (CMA), and was awarded NAJA Accredited Gemological Laboratory certification.
Scott continued his education with Christie's New York, furthering his expertise in antique and vintage jewelry. He also studied appraisal methodology through the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), expanding his knowledge and strengthening his technique.
Scott has completed advanced educational courses in the field of gem and jewelry forensics, through both GIA and the International School of Gemology (ISG). In 2023, Scott attained the highest credential awarded by ISG: Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA). Later that year, he was awarded the CPAA Certified Cultured Pearl Specialist designation by the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA).
Founded His Own Appraisal Company
In the summer of 2017, Scott founded Global Gemology & Appraisals in Deerfield Beach, Florida. As a Certified Master Appraiser, Scott has been able to offer expert appraisal services to attorneys, estate planning professionals, boutique jewelers, chain jewelry stores, pawnshops, other appraisers, as well as private clients.
Published Author
In 2018, Scott became a published author, releasing "The Art of Gemology" in both hardcover and digital formats. He is presently working on his 2nd book, which will be available soon.
Expert Witness
In 2023, Scott was retained as an expert witness to assist with litigation involving stolen jewelry. He appeared before the Judge and provided expert witness testimony, after having originally been hired to produce a post-loss appraisal report for the Plaintiff.
Scott remains in high demand as an expert witness, assisting attorneys with unique cases involving gems and jewelry.
Education
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
• Pearl Grading Lab -- 2023
• Gem Access -- 2022
• Introduction to Gemstone and Jewelry Photography -- 2022
• Ruby: Country of Origin Determination -- 2022
• Continuing Education Program -- 2021
• Jewelry Forensics -- 2020
• Continuing Education Program -- 2020
• Continuing Education Program -- 2019
• Pearls -- 2019
• Gem Identification Lab -- 2017
• Colored Stones Lab -- 2017
• Diamond Grading Lab -- 2017
• Jewelry Essentials -- 2017
• Gem Identification -- 2016
• Colored Stones -- 2012
• Colored Stones Essentials -- 2011
• Diamonds and Diamond Grading -- 2010
• Diamond Essentials -- 2010
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA)
• ACE©It Virtual Winter Conference -- 2021
• Jewelry History, Specific Jewelry Types, Expert Witness & More -- 2020
• Appraisal Theory & Methodology -- 2019
International School of Gemology (ISG)
• Created and Treated Gemstones -- 2023
• Introduction to Watches -- 2023
• Evaluating Damaged Jewelry -- 2023
• Litigation and Expert Witness for Appraisers -- 2023
American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
• Appraising The Jewelry After It's Gone -- 2023
• Tough Talks, Difficult Discussions and Crucial Conversations -- 2023
Appraisers Association of America (AAA)
• USPAP 7 Hour Update Completed 06/27/2022 (USPAP Compliant through 06/24/2024) -- 2022
• Working with Auction Houses -- 2021
• Appraising Watches in 2021 -- 2021
• A Defensible Appraisal Report -- 2021
• Market Analysis: When, Where, and How Much to Write -- 2020
• Theory and Methodology of Appraising -- 2020
• Research Methods for Appraisers -- 2020
• Legal and Ethical Aspects of Appraising -- 2020
• Appraisal Writing Workshop -- 2020
• USPAP 15 Hour Course -- 2020
Christie's Education
• Jewellery: Gemstones, Metal, Fashion, Film and Objets d'art -- 2023
• Studio Jewelry: From Mid-Century Pioneers to Contemporary Jewelry Masters -- 2022
• History of Jewellery Design: 1880 to Now -- 2019
Jewelers of America (JA)
• Management Professional Certification Exam - Level 2 -- 2023
• Management Professional Certification Exam - Level 1 -- 2023
• Sales Professional Certification Exam - Level 2 -- 2023
• Sales Professional Certification Exam - Level 1 -- 2023
Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA)
• PAO Pearl Specialist Course -- 2023
SEAK - The Expert Witness Training Company
• How to Testify as an Expert Witness at Deposition & Trial -- 2023
Matson & Associates
• Effective Expert Witnessing -- 2023
Trial Guides
• Selecting and Presenting a Bulletproof Expert Witness -- 2023
• Expert Witnesses: Maximizing Impact from Yours and Minimizing Theirs -- 2023
Professional Affiliations
Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA)
Originally established in 1974, AGA is an independent, international, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in gemology and upholding the highest ethical and professional standards in: gemological education, scientific gemological research, and identification and quality determination of gem material and jewelry.
- Active Member: 2023 to Present
- Membership Level: Alumni
Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA)
Founded in 1957, the Cultured Pearl Association of America, Inc. is a nonprofit group comprising the finest manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, dealers, and suppliers of cultured pearls in the United States.
- Membership Level: Alumni
- Certification: CPAA Certified Cultured Pearl Specialist
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
Established in 1931, the Gemological Institute of America is a nonprofit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology and the jewelry arts. In the 1940s, GIA established the “4Cs” and the International Diamond Grading System™ – to this day, the worldwide standard for evaluating diamond quality.
- Active Member: 2010 to Present
- Membership Level: Alumni
- Credentials: Graduate Gemologist (GG), Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP), Graduate Diamonds (GD), Graduate Colored Stones (GCS), Graduate Pearls (GP)
International School of Gemology (ISG)
Established in the late 1990s, The International School of Gemology is an independent gemology school focusing on education in gemology and appraisals, as well as providing advanced training in the areas of jewelry forensics and expert witness for appraisers. My association with ISG allows me access to advanced testing equipment including RAMAN spectroscopy, UV-VIS-NIR, and Sarine technology.
- Active Member: 2023 to Present
- Membership Level: Alumni
- Credentials: Registered Gemologist Appraiser (RGA)
Jewelers of America (JA)
Jewelers of America was founded in 1906, by jewelers for jewelers, with a desire to advance the professionalism and ethics of the jewelry industry. Today, as the leading non-profit jewelry association in the United States, Jewelers of America Members stand as the most trustworthy, informed and professional jewelry businesses in the United States and beyond.
- Active Member: 2023 to Present
- Membership Level: Member
- Certifications: Certified Senior Management Professional (CSMP), Certified Senior Sales Professional (CSSP)
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA)
The NAJA is dedicated to promoting stringent quality standards for gem and jewelry appraisers. The association was founded in 1981 on the premise that the specialized field of gem and jewelry appraising deserved representation on a professional basis. The NAJA fulfills the need for an appraisal organization focused solely on the specific value factors inherent in gems and jewelry, that were not being addressed sufficiently by the multidisciplinary appraisal associations of the day.
- Active Member: 2018 to Present
- Membership Level: Alumni
- Credentials: Certified Master Appraiser (CMA)
- Certification: NAJA Accredited Gemological Laboratory
Lab Equipment
Portable Maxi Lab by Gem Instruments
Binocular Gemological Microscope
Synthetic Diamond Screener
Scale (Grams, Carats & Pennyweights)
Refractometer
Polariscope
Spectroscope
Chelsea & Hanneman Gem Filters
Longwave & Shortwave UV
Fiber Optic Lighting
Millimeter Gauge
Jeweler's Loupe
CZ Master Color Grading Set
World of Color Communication System
CONTACT
Email: scott@globalgemology.com
Call or Text: (888) 898-6963
Fax : (888) 388-1412
Facebook: @shopglobalgemology
Instagram: @globalgemology