Gem Legacy Adds 3 to Advisory Council
Katherine Bodoh, Stuart Robertson, and Sumit Dangi will act as ambassadors and advocates for the nonprofit and its initiatives.
The new members are Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories; Stuart Robertson, research director of Gemworld International; and Sumit Dangi, CFO of Jewelers Mutual Group.
Founding members of the council are Niveet Nagpal, president of Omi Gems and Omi Privé, and Jonathan and Brecken Farnsworth, owners of Parlé Jewelry Designs.
Council members are tasked with sharing the nonprofit’s mission and inspiring the industry to give back at the source. They also act as ambassadors and advocates for Gem Legacy and its initiatives.
The council will aim to enlist new partners and collaborate with industry organizations and businesses.
“The expansion of the Gem Legacy advisory council is an exciting step forward for our industry, for Gem Legacy, and for the communities and businesses the organization supports,” said Ben Smithee, CEO of The Smithee Group, who serves on Gem Legacy’s board of directors.
“Our new advocates will lead the charge for a unified movement to support the communities that serve as the foundation of our industry.”
Gem Legacy was founded in 2018 to support the gemstone mining communities in East Africa.
The Latest

In a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.

Smith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.

JVC also announced the election of five new board members.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.


Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.

Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.

Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

It will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.

The organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.

The nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.

Western wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.

Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.

Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.

Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.

Paul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.

The nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.

Parent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.

It is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.

The “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.

Sourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.

The clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.

The “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.

The event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
























