Laura Stanley of Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler accepted the Sallie Morton Award, presented by Marc Altman (right), for recipients Harold Dupuy and Shelly Sergent, who could not attend the luncheon. (Image courtesy of the American Gem Society)
Oklahoma City—The American Gem Society had a slew of awards to present during its annual Conclave event last week in Oklahoma City.
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.
The 2022 Young Titleholder of the Year Award was presented by Sarah Nanasi Russell (right) to Maria Brown of Exclusively Diamonds. (Image courtesy of the American Gem Society)
“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.”
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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.
Marc Altman (right) presented the Guild of the Year award to Kara Huddleston (center) alongside Marty Pearlmutter (left) with Lester Martin Jewelers. (Image courtesy of the American Gem Society)
“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.
The John J. Kennedy award went to Joseph Metsopulos (center). To his left is Marc Altman, past chair of the Guild Council, and, to his right, Ronnie Vanderlinden, the Supplier’s Task Force chair. (Image courtesy of the American Gem Society)
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.
