Important Jewelry

Dianne Batista brings 30 years of deep and wide-ranging jewelry experience to this role. Before joining Freeman’s | Hindman, she was the Director of Jewelry & Watches and Senior Specialist at Rago/Wright Auction House. Prior to joining Rago/Wright, she consulted independently as Archive Manager at David Webb amongst other roles. 

With her vast experience in the industry, she has held positions as both a Senior Jewelry Specialist and consultant at Christie’s. In the retail jewelry sector, she was the US Head of Dior Fine Jewelry and Cinta Jewelry Director at John Hardy. She has lectured extensively and has appeared as an original jewelry expert on PBS's Antiques Roadshow.  
Batista has worked with significant estates and brought many historic fine jewelry pieces to market. Most recently she was responsible for presenting many important pieces of artist jewelry, including pieces by Calder, Lalanne, Burle Marx, Loloma, Margaret De Patta, and Jean Despres to the auction market 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Randolph Macon Woman’s College and is graduate of the Gemological Institute of America’s diamonds, diamond grading, and gem identification. 

Ms. Hammer brings 16 years of experience in the jewelry industry to Freeman's. She began her jewelry career in New York City working as a diamond grader at GIA while simultaneously achieving her Graduate Gemologist degree. She then worked in luxury retail on Madison Avenue where she collaborated with world renowned jewelry houses. From New York she moved to Asia where she advised in high end colored diamonds sales. After moving to Chicago in 2012, she continued her jewelry career specializing in diamonds and design, as well as managing appraisals at Steve Quick Jeweler. Though she loves working with all exquisite gemstones and revels in the history of antique pieces, she also values the connections she makes with clients and understands both the emotional and business side of the jewelry world. Karina grew up in Perth, Australia and has also lived in the United Kingdom, New York City and Singapore.