Q&A: AGTA CEO John Ford on His New Role, Goals
National Jeweler chats with him about how his background in gems will guide him and his plans for the organization’s future.

Ford was the owner of The Lightning Ridge Collection by John Ford, centered on black opals from Lighting Ridge in Australia, but he left that business to focus on the new role.
He also relocated from Galveston to Dallas, Texas.
National Jeweler recently caught up with Ford via email to hear more about his plans as CEO. Here’s what he had to say.
National Jeweler: Tell us a little bit about your background in the industry and how you got into it.
John Ford: I originally got into the trade at age 19, when I met someone selling gold chains in flea markets in Houston, Texas, who bragged about how much money they were making. I was intrigued and found a few wholesale suppliers, and suddenly I was in business. I sold gold chains, charms, and earrings on weekends and even at school as I attended Texas A&M University.
I soon progressed into fine gemstones, being primarily influenced and mentored by Keith Shaftel of Shaftel Diamonds of Houston, Texas, and the late Irving David Clark of Galveston, Texas, an esteemed jeweler and gemologist.
I opened a brick-and-mortar retail jewelry store with a wholesale trade shop in Galveston. Business flourished and, by total accident, I was exposed to Lightning Ridge opal, which forever changed my life.
The colors and of the beauty of black opal captivated me, and as time went on, I transitioned solely into wholesaling loose and finished jewelry set with black opal. That transition into black opal ultimately led me to AGTA firm membership and its board of directors.
NJ: How do you think that background, and having been an AGTA member yourself, will inform how you approach the role of AGTA CEO?
JF: My background is very diverse; being a gem dealer, I understand the unique aspects of our industry, those involved, and how to position AGTA at the industry’s forefront. I have extensive corporate governance experience and board experience in both the public and private sectors that, combined with my jewelry industry experience, provides me a unique perspective as CEO of AGTA.
NJ: What is your No. 1 goal for AGTA as you step into the CEO role?
JF: To solidify AGTA as the trusted source for colored gemstones and cultured pearls in the industry and as the authority on ethical practices for the trade and consumers alike.
NJ: Where do you think AGTA’s greatest areas of opportunity lie?
JF: Our greatest opportunity lies in increasing our membership, with an emphasis on retail members, and promoting our trade shows to a larger wholesale audience.
“My background is very diverse; being a gem dealer, I understand the unique aspects of our industry, those involved, and how to position AGTA at the industry’s forefront.”
NJ: How important do you think the organization’s GemFair events are when it comes to the future of the organization, and what would you like to see happen with those?
JF: We are expanding all our GemFair events, (beginning with) the expansion of the AGTA GemFair Denver pavilion at the HardRock Summit Sparkle & Joy this September. And most notably our growing renewed partnership with JCK Las Vegas.
I’m excited that our 2023 AGTA GemFair Las Vegas Pavilion will be expanding four times larger than in 2022. The popular AGTA GemFair Tucson is getting an upgrade as well—the Tucson Convention Center added 18,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, and we’re going to bring new aspects to the show in the future.
NJ: As conversations around responsible sourcing continue, what do you see as AGTA’s role when it comes to being a part of those and how will you address that?
JF: AGTA will continue to be the authority on ethical practices for colored gemstones and cultured pearls in the world just as we’ve done over the last 40 years. Responsible sourcing is in the fiber of who we are as an association.
NJ: Are there any other goals or areas of focus you’d like to mention?
JF: My goals as CEO are for AGTA to be a sustainable entity, growing in membership with an emphasis on retail memberships, promoting our trade shows to a larger wholesale audience with a comprehensive new marketing strategy solidifying AGTA as the source for colored gemstones in the world and the authority on ethical practices for the trade and consumers.
The Latest

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America


Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

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

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.