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
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
