Events & AwardsSep 02, 2021
NYC Jewelry Week Residency Program Now Accepting Applications Events & AwardsSep 13, 2021
Here’s the Winner of the Second Annual Beatrice Shipley Scholarship
Created by AGS and GIA, the award will cover full tuition costs for Ohio jewelry store employee Rachel Burazer.
Rachel Burazer, a sales associate and custom designer at AGS member store Argo & Lehne Jewelers in Columbus, Ohio, has been awarded the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship, created in 2019 by AGS and GIA to cover tuition costs for the GIA Graduate Gemologist program.
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America have announced the winner of their second annual Beatrice Shipley Scholarship.
The two organizations will award the honor to Rachel Burazer, a sales associate and custom designer at AGS member store Argo & Lehne Jewelers in Columbus, Ohio.
Born in Ohio, Burazer moved to Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in fashion design.
After working in the food and beverage industry and at Bloomingdale’s, she realized she should combine her hospitality experience with a “more refined” retail environment, AGS said.
She first worked at Chicago jewelry retailer Steve Quick Jeweler before moving to Argo & Lehne, where she currently acts as a mentor to her colleagues, a liaison to many vendors, and a trusted employee to customers.
The scholarship will cover all her tuition costs for the GIA Graduate Gemologist on-campus or distance program in Carlsbad, California.
It will also cover costs of the AGS Way Course—the final step in obtaining an AGS title, covering the history, mission, vision, and values of being a member—and entry to the 2021 AGS Conclave event, slated for Sept. 12-14 in Dallas.
AGS and GIA created the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship together and announced it at the 2019 Conclave event in honor of trailblazing businesswoman Beatrice Shipley.
Both organizations were founded in the 1930s when Beatrice and her husband, Robert, cashed in their savings to create them, with the goal of educating jewelers, professionalizing the industry, and creating a guild for these jewelers to join.
“AGS would like to thank GIA for its ongoing commitment to AGS and for partnering on this scholarship. Beatrice Shipley, along with her husband, changed the course of the jewelry industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories.
“We are so pleased to award Rachel with this scholarship. She is passionate about the jewelry industry, bettering herself, and serving her customers. I know this opportunity will propel her career forward.”
Related stories will be right here …
The two organizations will award the honor to Rachel Burazer, a sales associate and custom designer at AGS member store Argo & Lehne Jewelers in Columbus, Ohio.
Born in Ohio, Burazer moved to Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in fashion design.
After working in the food and beverage industry and at Bloomingdale’s, she realized she should combine her hospitality experience with a “more refined” retail environment, AGS said.
She first worked at Chicago jewelry retailer Steve Quick Jeweler before moving to Argo & Lehne, where she currently acts as a mentor to her colleagues, a liaison to many vendors, and a trusted employee to customers.
The scholarship will cover all her tuition costs for the GIA Graduate Gemologist on-campus or distance program in Carlsbad, California.
It will also cover costs of the AGS Way Course—the final step in obtaining an AGS title, covering the history, mission, vision, and values of being a member—and entry to the 2021 AGS Conclave event, slated for Sept. 12-14 in Dallas.
AGS and GIA created the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship together and announced it at the 2019 Conclave event in honor of trailblazing businesswoman Beatrice Shipley.
Both organizations were founded in the 1930s when Beatrice and her husband, Robert, cashed in their savings to create them, with the goal of educating jewelers, professionalizing the industry, and creating a guild for these jewelers to join.
“AGS would like to thank GIA for its ongoing commitment to AGS and for partnering on this scholarship. Beatrice Shipley, along with her husband, changed the course of the jewelry industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories.
“We are so pleased to award Rachel with this scholarship. She is passionate about the jewelry industry, bettering herself, and serving her customers. I know this opportunity will propel her career forward.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
