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

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.


Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.

Sponsored by Instappraise

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.