SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
IndependentsFeb 09, 2016
AGS CEO Ruth Batson to Retire in 2017
The American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories announced today that CEO Ruth Batson will retire in the summer of 2017, marking the end of a nearly 25-year career with the organization.
Ruth Batson has been with the American Gem Society since 1993, and has been its CEO since 2002. The longtime industry leader announced her retirement Monday.
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories announced today that CEO Ruth Batson will retire in June 2017. Her retirement will mark the end of a nearly 25-year career with the organization.
Batson, who holds a bachelor’s in business accounting from the University of Phoenix, started working at AGS in 1993 as controller, just as the organization relocated its headquarters from California to Las Vegas.
In August 1998, she became the AGS’s chief financial officer. Four years later, she was promoted to CEO.
She added CEO of AGS Labs to her title in 2012, after AGS announced it had acquired the outstanding shares of American Gem Society Laboratories.
In a statement released Monday by AGS, Batson noted that she spent her entire career in the jewelry industry with one organization, AGS, and considers it a privilege and honor to serve its membership.
“I will forever feel connected to the wonderful AGS and AGS Laboratories staff, the members and my jewelry industry friends,” she said. “We have an excellent team, and I know the society and laboratory will be in good hands.”
After retirement, Batson will split her time between her home in Las Vegas, where AGS is headquartered, and her family’s ranch in Montana.
The AGS’s board of directors will form a committee to find a new CEO.
AGS President Louis Smith, of Smithworks Fine Jewelry in Spartanburg, N.C., said Batson will participate in the search and on-boarding process for the new CEO, adding, “We are confident that we will find a great successor to guide the organization forward. Ruth has generously provided us with ample time to make a seamless transition.”
Both Smith and AGS President-Elect Scott Berg praised Batson’s leadership, contributions and dedication to the organization, which have not gone unnoticed by the industry as a whole.
Batson has been the recipient of a number of prestigious awards over the years, including the Excellence in Service Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association (2010), the Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope honoree (2012) and the Doyenne of the Year Award from the Indian Diamond & Colored Stone Association in 2013.
In 2014, she won the WJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and has made JCK magazine’s Power List for the last four years.
She also serves on the boards of the WJA, JFC, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, U.S. Jewelry Council and JCK Show Advisory Board, and chairs the Ethical Initiatives Committee for Jewelers of America.
Smith said throughout her career,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Batson has dedicated herself to making sure the AGS’s mission is fulfilled, building a strong team and making a lasting impact along the way.
“We are forever grateful for her service and contribution to the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories,” he concluded. “She will always be part of the AGS family.”
“We are forever grateful for her service and contribution to the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories,” he concluded. “She will always be part of the AGS family.”
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
