Events & AwardsSep 17, 2021
Here’s This Year’s Robert M. Shipley Award WinnerEvents & 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.
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.
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.
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.
— Associate Editor, News, Lenore Fedow contributed to this report.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
