Diana Sanders Cinamon

Personal Details

Bio

In addition to serving as the Department Chair, Mrs. Cinamon teaches "Antique and Period Jewelry" and "Pearls" for the gemology department at Santiago Canyon.

Her first book, "All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks" continues to hit the top ten list of best selling books on this topic. Her second book "Estate Jewelry, 1760-1960", by Schiffer Books represents the culmination of over ten years of study and teaching on this topic, providing a valuable resource for collectors, dealers, and appraisers at all levels of expertise. When released in 2009 it debuted as the #1 best selling book on jewelry. Its continued sales keeps it in the top of its category.

Mrs. Cinamon offers appraisal services and lectures. You may contact her toll free at (877) 255-5445 for more information.

Current position (2)

Gemology Department Chair

Santiago Canyon College

Personal Property Appraiser

Specialty Appraisals

Degrees (3)

Gemology

Santiago Canyon College

1998 to 2002

Personal Property Appraising

The College for Appraisers

1997 to 1998

Business Administration, course work in Fine Art

California State University, Long Beach

1979 to 1983

Presentations

Presentations (7)

History in the Jewelry Box, a fashionable walk through time

History, styles and construction techniques can help circa date antique. Topics covered in this PowerPoint presentation are:
*Astronomy and Jewelry
*Archeology and Jewelry
*Jewelry and Natural Selection
*Wondrous New Substances from Science
*Bracelets, Rings, and Atomic Things
*Sub-styles in Jewelry
*A 50 Yard Dash through Time

How to be a Silver Detective

Highlights of identification pointers from "All About Antique Silver with International Hallmarks".

Includes a discussion of popular patterns, distinctive construction techniques as clues along with an overview of French, German, English and American Hallmarks.

Includes a few devices to help remember introduction dates of hallmarks (This presentation can include an attendee show and tell).

Masters of Design

This one-hour slide presentation introduces the works of 19th century jewelers, the masterpieces they created and the patrons who adorned themselves with these opulent pieces of wearable art. Jewelry by Lalique, Tiffany, Faberge, Froment-Meurice, Robert Philips and others will be featured. The presentation includes a brief history of each of these masters, a comparison of styles and a discussion of the historical events that influenced their artistic expression.

Estate Guidelines: What do I do with all my stuff?

This is a practical guide to choices facing adults as they downsize for the future. Topics include:
Gift, donation, or sell.
An overview of industry service providers, including estate sale companies, auction houses, and appraisers.
IRS guidelines
Choosing the appraisal format.

Cameos: Ancient Inspirations

This slide show presentation explores the history and creation of cameos. Topics include:
*What is a cameo?
*Intaglio vs. cameo
*The Origins of cameos in
Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome
*Overview of themes in cameos, with on-screen examples of ancient cameos
Identifying mythological deities
*Renaissance Cameos
*Victorian Cameos
*Cameo substance ID

The Confident Collector

This PowerPoint presentation covers construction techniques in jewelry and their origins. Topics include:
*Repoussé origins (from c.3000 B.C)
*Modern Tools and Techniques
*Stamped designs
*Die Stamping origins (3000 B.C.)
*Modern Die Stamping
*Rolling Mill Origins
*Sheffield Plate, Rolled Gold
*Enameling Techniques: Introduction
in Jewelry - Niello & Champlevé
*Construction quality in jewelry
*Hand-made vs. machine made
*Design Innovation
*Patented Jewelry Designs
*Jewelry Styles Tell a Story
*An Overview of Silver Marks
United Kingdom
France
Germany
America

All That Glitters

This slide presentation talks about basic sight identification of gemstones and gem materials. Topics include:
*Glass in jewelry
*Diamonds and diamond substitutes
*Synthetic gems in antique jewelry
*Plastics ID
*Ivory ID and ivory substitutes
*Amber ID
*Tortoise ID
*Jet ID
*Cameo ID - shell cameo vs. hard
stone cameo