The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
Gem Cutting Expert Al Gilbertson Wins Bonanno Award
The Accredited Gemologists Association has chosen the project manager of cut research at the GIA’s Carlsbad laboratory as the recipient of the 2017 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.

San Diego--The Accredited Gemologists Association has announced that Al Gilbertson of the Gemological Institute of America will receive the 2017 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.
The Bonanno Award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the gemological field. Recipients are selected by a majority vote of the AGA membership.
Gilbertson is Project Manager, Cut Research at the GIA’s Carlsbad laboratory, continuing an extensive career that includes contributions in appraisal science, color communication and cut research.
He is also an accomplished gem cutter who grew up in the lapidary business, according to the AGA.
Early in his career, Gilbertson lobbied members of the board of the American Gem Society to establish a new firm designation for independent jewelry appraisers.
In 1992, he and former GIA instructor Jim Coote were the first to receive, and help set the standards for, the Independent Certified Gemologist Appraiser Firm designation. They were also the first independent appraisers to be awarded the title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser by the American Gem Society.
As well as being published, Gilbertson has presented a number of lectures and workshops for jewelers, gemologists and appraisers. He also has several patents pertaining to aspects of gem cutting and light performance.
As a member of the gemological committee that helped set up the AGS lab, he developed the tools that became the core of the AGS ASET light performance model.
The GIA hired Gilbertson in 2000 to be a part of its team to research diamond cut evaluation, and he became an important part of the group that created the institute’s cut grading system for round brilliant diamonds.
Currently, he is studying the influence of proportions and other factors on the appearance of fancy shape diamonds, working towards a cut grading system for them. His book, American Cut: The First 100 Years, is regarded as the standard work on the subject, AGA said.
“Al Gilbertson continues in a career that has already made an incredible impact on this industry. The generous manner in which he shares his knowledge with both student and veteran industry members alike is clearly appreciated by our members,” AGA President Stuart Robertson said.
The Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology will be presented at AGA’s gala dinner dance at the end of its Tucson conference on Wednesday, Feb. 1. at the Marriott University Park Hotel.
The award includes a personalized plaque and a $2,000 research honorarium funded by the AGA membership.
For additional information or to attend the conference or gala, visit AccreditedGemologists.org or call 619-501-5444.
Previous recipients of the award include Cigdem Lule, Thomas Hainschwang, John Emmett, Emmanuel Fritsch, Thom Underwood, Stuart Robertson, Richard Hughes, Christopher Smith, James Shigley, Shane McClure, Richard Drucker, Alan Jobbins and Antoinette Matlins.
The Latest

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.


The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.