Joseph DuMouchelle, G.G.

By Jaime Kautsky

They say what's old is new again, and perhaps no one understands that better than an estate jewelry auctioneer.

Just ask Joseph DuMouchelle, a third-generation auctioneer and GIA Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) who jokes that although he's an estate jewelry expert, he also knows just enough about antiques, paintings and antique furniture "to be dangerous."

DuMouchelle, who opened the GIA Museum 2006 Lecture Series at the Institute's Carlsbad campus with his Feb. 22 presentation, "Treasure Hunt: Estate Jewelry at Auction – An Ever-Changing Market," said the popularity of estate jewelry auctions – and often, the need to sell items – makes it a virtually recession-proof business.

"The tougher things get economically, the better we do at auction," he said, noting that even the Great Depression didn't stall his grandfather's auction business.

DuMouchelle offered the audience of students, staff and members of the public tips on getting into the auction industry.

"It is tough to get into. Many auction houses are family-run businesses, and therefore don't have room for outside help. It's a small world. Fewer auction houses exist today than years ago," he said.

Instead, he suggested, estate jewelry aficionados and experts should think about venturing into the industry on their own – one can buy, sell and/or appraise estate jewelry without having to work for an auction house.

DuMouchelle is based in Grosse Pointe, a wealthy suburb outside of Detroit, Michigan, and has sold pieces for everyone from Donald Trump's ex-wife, Marla Maples, to Motor City heirs and heiresses like the Dodges and Fords, in his 25 years of experience. His company, Joseph DuMouchelle International Auctioneers, Appraisers & Graduate Gemologists, has appeared on the pages of many publications and on TV programs including "Access Hollywood" and "Entertainment Tonight."

Though he grew up in the auction business, DuMouchelle had to start out on his own.

"I may have been born into auctioneering, but I wasn't born into the jewelry industry," he said. "Everything I've learned about jewelry was on my own."

He began by earning his G.G. diploma at GIA New York (his business partner, Melinda "Lindy" Adducci, graduated with her G.G. from the Institute's former headquarters in Santa Monica), which DuMouchelle said pays off constantly on the job.

"We use our gemology daily. We reference many books in our library, including Edward Gübelin and John Koivula's (GIA's former chief research gemologist) book, Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, often grading stones before we send them to a lab," he said. "It's a good way to test yourself."

DuMouchelle said that artwork and antiques often come with jewelry lots, so it's important to meet people who can help you with those items. He takes advantage of opportunities to network through GIA, including serving as past president of the Michigan chapter of the Alumni Association and auctioneer at the annual dance party and fundraiser in Tucson.

"As you learn about gemology, you also learn who might be able to handle something outside your specialty," he said. He shared the story of how GIA's groundbreaking ceremonies at the new Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad gave him just such an opportunity.

"While attending the opening, I took the opportunity to meet Robert Mouawad and a few of his associates. That introduction became helpful when we were asked to sell a matched pair of blue diamonds in a necklace years later," DuMouchelle said.

Auctioneers often put themselves in situations in which they're not always sure of the outcome, DuMouchelle said. He's taken items on consignment and purchased pieces that he liked but wasn't sure what they could fetch at auction.

"I take risks for a living, which can occasionally make it hard to sleep at night," he said. "No matter what you do, if you work with a sense of ethics, you'll be fine."

He stressed that even once you are established in the auction business, cultivating clients can take longer than you expect.

"It may take time – people need time to decide what they're going to do with important personal items," he said, noting that one of his clients has been trying to make that decision for six years. "We're always building towards the future while working in the present."

The 2006 GIA Museum Lecture Series

Themed "Process & Progress," the GIA Museum Lecture Series will host three more industry experts throughout the year, said Museum Director Elise Misiorowski.

"This year's Lecture Series examines the changes and growth in the gem and jewelry industry, particularly in estate jewelry, gem cutting and jewelry design and fabrication," she said.

"During the last two decades, the gem and jewelry industry has experienced tremendous growth in many areas. There have been incredible discoveries of new gem deposits, advances in jewelry-cutting techniques and increased interest in antique and contemporary jewelry. We are able to introduce people to some of the changes the industry has undergone during this exciting time through these lectures."