Events & Awards

And the 2022 Shipley Award Goes To …

Events & AwardsApr 27, 2022

And the 2022 Shipley Award Goes To …

Arkansas jeweler Craig Underwood, a G.G. and C.G.A. who is as involved in his community as he is in the American Gem Society.

20220427_AGS Shipley Award 2022.jpg
AGS jeweler Craig Underwood (right) was this year’s recipient of the American Gem Society’s highest honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award. The award was presented Tuesday at AGS Conclave by another Shipley Award-winning jeweler, Cathy Calhoun. (Photo courtesy of American Gem Society)
Oklahoma City—Craig Underwood, a second-generation jeweler who is deeply involved in both the American Gem Society and his local community, is the recipient of the 2022 Robert M. Shipley Award.  
 
Underwood, president of Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas, received the award Tuesday afternoon at AGS Conclave, held this week in Oklahoma City. 
 
After accepting the award from another past Shipley winner, Cathy Calhoun, Underwood shared an apt simile for a jeweler who also is an award-wining landscape and nature photographer. 
 
Underwood, who was clearly emotional, said he felt like “a turtle on a fencepost … not only [is he in] an awkward position but you know that he didn’t get there by himself, and that is certainly the case here.” 
 
He thanked everyone who has helped him throughout the course of his career, including his parents, and he urged other attendees to get involved in AGS like he has. 
 
“It is so enriching. You get back so much more than you put in by stepping back and volunteering to be a part of AGS,” he said. 
 
Underwood wrapped up his speech with another nature analogy, this one centering on the Amur carp, or koi fish.
 
The growth of the fish, he said, depends on the size of its habitat. It will grow a lot more in a large lake than it will in a small tank. 
 
“This is very similar to the human race, but with our minds. If we continue to expand our horizons and expand our world, we will grow larger,” he said, noting how his involvement with AGS has helped him grow personally. 
 
“It is a phenomenal organization, so thank you again,” Underwood concluded. 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 
 
The American Gem Society presents the Robert M. Shipley Award, its highest honor, at a luncheon held annually at Conclave. 
 
Shipley founded both AGS and GIA and initiated organized gemological research and education in the United States. 

The award presented in his honor goes to an AGS member for outstanding service to the society, significant contributions to the science of gemology, and/or exemplifying the ideals of AGS in their own community. 
 
In presenting Underwood with the 2022 award, Calhoun said he has “excelled in all.” 
 
Underwood has been in the jewelry business since 1975, working as a manager and buyer at another AGS store, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, before joining his family’s business full time.  
 
He is the second generation to run Underwoods Fine Jewelers, which his father, Bill Underwood (a past AGS president and Shipley Award winner), opened in 1957.
 
Under his leadership, the store has won numerous awards, including being named one of America’s “Coolest” jewelry stores by Instore magazine.
 
He is a past president of AGS’s International Board of Directors, past chair of the Diamond Standards Committee and the Gemological Sciences Committee and was founding chair of the Fancy Cut Grade Task Force. 
 
He has served on the boards of Jewelers for Children and the AGS Jewelers Education Foundation (JEF) and was a JEF industry education speaker. He currently serves on the board of directors for Jewelers Mutual Group.
 
Underwood is a graduate of Baylor University, where he studied entrepreneurship, and is a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist (GG) and an American Gem Society Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA). 
 
Outside of the jewelry industry, he is one of the founders of an award-winning restaurant in northwest Arkansas, a co-developer of a 744-unit apartment complex and the developer of a mixed-use project in Fayetteville.
 
Alongside wife Laura, he recently purchased and then donated 65 acres of land to the city of Fayetteville, creating the city’s largest park. 
 
Underwood also, Calhoun said in presenting the award Tuesday, has won a number of state and national awards for his landscape photography. One of his photos of Arkansas’ Buffalo River was featured in The Nature Conservancy’s 2022 calendar.
 
AGS Conclave 2022 continues through Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

— Associate Editor, News, Lenore Fedow contributed to this report.
 
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Stock image of people shopping in a mall
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRF

The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

Tallulah Willis’ Engagement Ring
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With Magic

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

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

Buccellati Naturalia exhibition
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in Milan

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Weekly QuizApr 03, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

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.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural color diamonds on display at Smithsonian National Museum of History
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

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

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

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

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

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

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

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

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

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

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

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

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

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

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

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

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

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

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

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

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

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

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

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

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

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

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

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

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

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

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

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

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy