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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
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.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
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.
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.
