Events & AwardsApr 27, 2022
And the 2022 Shipley Award Goes To … Events & AwardsApr 29, 2022
Lisa Bridge Takes Over as President of AGS Board
She succeeds Underwood Jewelers’ Michael Richards, who completed his term.
Lisa Bridge was elected president of the American Gem Society’s International Board of Directors for 2022-2023. Leading alongside her as president-elect is Alexis Padis, president of Padis Jewelry.
Oklahoma City—On the final day of Conclave 2022 in Oklahoma City, members of the American Gem Society elected new board members for 2022-2023, including a new board president.
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, CG, takes over as president, succeeding Underwood Jewelers’ Michael Richards, who completed his term.
Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis, CGA, is the board’s new president-elect.
Joining Bridge and Padis on AGS’s International Board of Directors are the following.
Secretary and chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: Bryan Moeller, CGA
Senior advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Chair, AGS Laboratories Advisory Committee: John Carter, CGA
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Maria Brown, RJ
Chair, Membership Committee: Mitchell Clark, CG
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA
Chair, Education Committee: Sarah Person, CG
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards, CGA
Director-at-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-at-Large: Rick Beckett, RJ
Director-at-Large: Ryan Berg, CG
Director-at-Large: Jamie Luce
Director-at-Large: Kevin Mays, CGA
Director-at-Large: Niveet Nagpal, CG
In addition to outgoing board president Richards, Marc Altman, CGA; Scott Murphy; Sarah Nanasi Russell, CG; and Scott Udell completed their terms on the board.
“A tremendous thank you to Michael Richards for his many years of service to the American Gem Society and particularly for his devoted leadership during the last two unprecedented years,” Bridge said.
“I also would like to thank the outgoing board members for their efforts on behalf of the American Gem Society. They each made an impact with their thoughtful participation, strategic insight, and dedication to our society.”
The next AGS Conclave is scheduled for May 1-3, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Related stories will be right here …
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, CG, takes over as president, succeeding Underwood Jewelers’ Michael Richards, who completed his term.
Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis, CGA, is the board’s new president-elect.
Joining Bridge and Padis on AGS’s International Board of Directors are the following.
Secretary and chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: Bryan Moeller, CGA
Senior advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Chair, AGS Laboratories Advisory Committee: John Carter, CGA
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Maria Brown, RJ
Chair, Membership Committee: Mitchell Clark, CG
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA
Chair, Education Committee: Sarah Person, CG
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards, CGA
Director-at-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-at-Large: Rick Beckett, RJ
Director-at-Large: Ryan Berg, CG
Director-at-Large: Jamie Luce
Director-at-Large: Kevin Mays, CGA
Director-at-Large: Niveet Nagpal, CG
In addition to outgoing board president Richards, Marc Altman, CGA; Scott Murphy; Sarah Nanasi Russell, CG; and Scott Udell completed their terms on the board.
“A tremendous thank you to Michael Richards for his many years of service to the American Gem Society and particularly for his devoted leadership during the last two unprecedented years,” Bridge said.
“I also would like to thank the outgoing board members for their efforts on behalf of the American Gem Society. They each made an impact with their thoughtful participation, strategic insight, and dedication to our society.”
The next AGS Conclave is scheduled for May 1-3, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
