AGS Hands Out Awards at Titleholders Luncheon
See who won the Young Titleholder of the Year Award, the Sallie Morton Award, and more.

During the Titleholders Luncheon on April 27, past chair of the Young Titleholders Committee Sarah Nanasi Russell, CG, presented the 2022 Young Titleholder of the Year Award to Maria Brown, RJ, of Exclusively Diamonds.

“Maria has been a consistent and tireless contributor on the Young Titleholder Committee since she joined five years ago,” said Russell. “She has never missed an opportunity to volunteer for a task when we need extra help and her commitment to our everyday operations has been critical to our success. ”
The Black in Jewelry Coalition partnered with the Young Titleholder’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to award one BIJC member a grant for Conclave.
The grant covers the cost of Conclave registration and lodging, and also includes a $500 gift card from AGS towards travel expenses. This year’s grant went to Latoya Boyd.
“The Young Titleholders are proud of this new scholarship and are grateful to the Black in Jewelry Coalition for helping them execute it in a timely and meaningful way,” said Russell.
“We pushed the boundaries of our usual scholarship process and offerings to align with their continuing goal of ensuring a diverse and inclusive American Gem Society community.”
Russell also announced the recipients of the Young Titleholder’s Conclave Scholarship, which provides free registration to the event.
The recipients were:
Annie Daniels of Duke's Jewelers;
Mollie Effler, CG, of Wm. Effler Jewelers;
Bryce Melius of Exclusively Diamonds;
Taele Polamalu, RJ, of Zachary's Jewelers; and
Amy Root of Form To Feeling.
Marc Altman, CGA and past chair of the International Guilds Council, presented five awards.
The Sallie Morton Award for 2020, the year Conclave was held virtually, went to Harold Dupuy of Stuller, Inc. The 2021 recipient was Shelly Sergent of Somewhere In The Rainbow Collection.
Laura Stanley of Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler accepted the awards on behalf of the recipients, who could not attend the luncheon.
A 2022 recipient was not announced, but the award will return in 2023.
“This award recognizes the contribution of individuals who have gone over and above in their service to the AGS Guilds each year. Our members were able to tap into Harold and Shelly’s abundant knowledge and both welcomed calls to address the specific needs of our [guilds],” said Altman.
The Guild of the Year Award for 2022 went to the Greater Cincinnati Guild, presented by Altman and accepted by Kara Huddleston of Huddleston Fine Jewelry Appraisals.
Marty Pearlmutter of Lester Martin Jewelers joined them on the stage. The Keystone Guild won the award in 2021, but he was unable to attend.

“This Guild, along with its president, has been a great supporter and has contributed to helping us develop the national program we have today,” said Altman.
The John J. Kennedy Award is given to outstanding law enforcement and security professionals who have served the jewelry industry.
This year’s award went to Joseph Metsopulos with the New York City Police Department’s Major Case Squad.

During a separate ceremony the previous day, the 2022 Robert M. Shipley Award was given to Craig Underwood, president of Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The next Conclave will be held May 1-3, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky, with more details to follow.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.


Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

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.

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

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.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The 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.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.