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
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
