Patricia A. Thompson, ISA CAPP, CGA, GG, CIA, CBJ, Gems & Jewelry

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Patricia A. Thompson
ISA member since Jan 01, 1992

(662) 844-2427 (Office)

1125 West Main Street
Tupelo, MS 38801 map

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About

Patti Thompson is the president of Way-Fil Jewelry, Inc. located in Tupelo, MS. The daughter of a watch repairman she followed several careers including radio broadcasting and a seven year stint as a secretary in an electrical contracting firm in Houston, Texas. In 1980 she began the first of many gemological courses that led to her current titles held at the International Society of Appraisers and the American Gem Society. Patti bought Way-Fil Jewelry in 1984 and serves as the appraiser, designer and one of two bench jewelers.

She has written articles on appraising for trade magazines. In 2004 she was awarded the “Lamp of Knowledge” award from the International Society of Appraisers for her article “Wrestling with Watch Appraisals” published in “Auction Market Research”. The article details the things appraisers should look for in appraising watches and includes a sheet for the take in procedures.

Accepted in 1980 as a member of the American Gem Society, Patti attained the status of a Certified Gemologist Appraiser with this organization in 1986. Joining the International Society of Appraisers in 1992, she has earned the ISA Certified Appraiser of Personal Property titles. One is a specialty in gemstones; the second is in Antique and Period Jewelry. Other titles are “Certified Insurance Appraiser”, “Graduate Gemologist” and she is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. Mrs. Thompson has been certified as an expert witness in Lee County, Mississippi. In 2015 whe completed the 40 hour watch evaluation class at the National Association of Watch & Color Collectors in Columbia, Pa.

In January of 2001, she completed the requirements necessary to become a Certified Quartz Watch Technician. She completed the Gemological Institute of America's Insurance Replacement Appraisal Course with honors in 1988. With a grant from Stuller, a large supplier of jewelry findings, Patti enrolled in the Certified Bench Jeweler course sponsored by Jewelers of America and is currently the only Certified Bench Jeweler in Mississippi. She also attended the Trenton School for Jewelers to earn the Advanced Jewelry Repair degree.

According to the records of AGS, ISA and JA, Patti is the only person in North America to have achieved all of the jewelry and gemological titles she holds.

Patti has served on various AGS and ISA committees over the years, including the Young Titleholders and Conclave Committees for AGS in the early 1980’s. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Jewelers Association and was President of the AGS Dixie Guild for four years. She is an active member of the North Mississippi Gem and Mineral Club, which reaches the local area schools teaching the joy of gemstones. Mrs. Thompson currently serves as a member of the Tupelo Planning Commission.

She completed the requirements for the Antiques, Furniture and Decorative Arts course in 2023 to add to her list of accomplishments.

Patti is married to Stephen Thompson, owner of Designer Connection, an interior design firm.

Professional Associations and Affiliations:

• Jewelers of America

• American Gem Society

• International Society of Appraisers

• National Association of Jewelry Appraisers

• Mississippi Jewelers Association