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.
 

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

Stock image of woman shopping
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

×

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