Credentials

Diana Sanders Cinamon

(877) 255-5445

Appraising

12-1997 to current: Specialty Appraisals - owner and personal property appraiser providing certified appraisal services for antiques, fine art, jewelry, antique silver, coins, and household contents. Ms. Cinamon also provides many types of appraisals including Insurance appraisals, estate appraisals, and donation appraisals. Also previously providing expert witness testimony and litigation support.

1-2016 to current: Sub-contract appraiser to the United States Department of Homeland Security, appraising high-value watches, jewelry, and personal property.

Teaching

8-2016 to current: Founder of the Antiques Institute, a newly formed institution specializing in education in all major areas of decorative art including antique furniture, antique silver, antique jewelry, antique pottery, antique glass, collectibles, and several specialty areas. Classes are currently scheduled to be taught in Fullerton, CA.

6-2017 to current: Santiago Canyon College Gemology Department Facilitator.

8-2004 to current: Santiago Canyon College Gemology Department - Instructor for Appraisal Theory, Antique and Period Jewelry, and Pearls. Ms. Cinamon previously taught the Appraisal Theory Class for the gemology department before budget cuts dictated that summer classes be cut.

Appraisal Theory for Jewelry for the Jewelry Profession is currently offered in a private venue, with a certificate of completion provided upon completion. An overview of both the Antique Jewelry and Pearls classes (currently taught at Santiago Canyon College in Orange, Ca) is provided on the Classes page of this web site.

9-2003 to 6-2008: North Orange County Community College - Instructor for Antique and Period Jewelry and Antique Silver as part of the Antiques program offered through this school. These classes were part of the certificate program offered with completion of all classes leading to a certificate as a Personal Property Appraiser.

9-2007 to 2010: Bellflower Adult School, Instructor for "Antiques for Fun and Profit". Classes emphasized the antique appraisal process for antique resellers. Classes included: Antique Furniture, American and Continental Pottery, Antique and Collectible Glass, Antique and Collectible Jewelry, Antique Metals, Basic Print Identification, and an Introduction to Fine Art Appraisals.

9-1997 to 6-2005: College for Appraisers - Instructor and Department Chair for Antique and Period Jewelry and instructor for Antique Silver under Dr. David Long. During the time that Ms. Cinamon took class and taught for the College, they were certified by the State of California's Bureau of Private Post-Secondary Education.

Literature

10-2009: Estate Jewelry, 1760 to 1960, Schiffer Publishing. 2nd edition was released in 2014. Please visit Ms. Cinamon's Author Page on Amazon.com. Excerpts from this book are provided on the Jewelry ID page.

8-2006: All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks, AAA Publishing. Excerpts from this book are provided on the Silver Tips page.

2009-2016: Los Angeles Antiques and Collectibles Examiner, Examiner.com. Weekly articles about antiques and collectibles with a Los Angeles, Ca area focus. Some articles included information about antique venues in the Inland Empire, Orange County, Ca and surrounding areas.

2014 to current: Contributor to both Hubpages and Ezine with articles about antiques and collectibles. Articles are of an informative nature but retain an entertainment element, typically 300 to 400 words in length.

10-1999 to 1-2002: Staff writer for Inland Empire Magazine. Bimonthly articles, 250-250 word essays, with a focus on antique history and identification.

Entertainment

9-2-2007: Whatcha Got? Guest author on this nationally syndicated antiques and collectibles call-in radio program hosted by Harry Rinker, HGTV’s “Inspector Collector” (9-20-09 & 6-29-14: second and third appearances). Appeared as a guest author for both All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks and Estate Jewelry, 1760 to 1960.

8-2004: Antiques Roadshow, Portland Oregon - "Green Room" assistant, preparing attendees for taping of the television program.

6-2002: Gold Coast Appraisal Fair, featured as an expert appraiser on this west coast appraisal program for STN Cable Network.

Education

Appraising and personal property education

The College for Appraisers: Graduate Certified Appraiser (GCA), 1997; Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA), 1999; Teacher Training Seminar, 1998 (certificate of completion); American Indian Artifacts Seminar, 2005(certificate of completion); Oriental Art and Antiques, 2005 (certificate of completion).

Appraisers National Association: Seminar for fine art appraisers, 2001; The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), certificates of completion, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2013 and 2023; Antique Watches by C. Jeanenne Bell, 2002 (Certificate of Completion); Antique Jewelry by Christie Romero, 2001 (Certificate of Completion).

Gemological education

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Pearl Grading, 2001; Diamond Cut Grading, 2006 (Certificates of Completion).

Santiago Canyon College: Certified Gemologist (CG), 2001; Associate of Arts Degree, Gemology (AS), 2001.

General education

California State University, Long Beach: Bachelor of Science Degree, Business Administration, 1983 (additional course work in fine art and fine art appreciation).

Professional memberships

President and Founder: American Certified Appraisers Association, 2016 to current.

President: Appraisers National Association, 2004 to 2007; Vice-president, 2002-2003; Parliamentarian, 2007 to 2016.

President: SC College Alumni Association 2018. Vice President: 2006 to 2017 (member 2003-2018).

Faculty Advisory Committee Member: North Orange County Community College District, 2003 to 2008. Responsibility included faculty interaction with administration to ensure the quality of instruction through the development and assessment of instructional methods.

Member: American Mensa Society, 1990 - 1997

Awards

Collector Magazine, 1st Official Roster of Collector Royalty: Attila the Appraiser

Questions?

(877) 255-5445

Please call toll-free with questions about antique appraisals, jewelry appraisals.