Events & AwardsMay 10, 2023
AGS Honors Industry Members at Titleholders LuncheonMajorsMay 22, 2023
AGS Confirms Members of 2023-2024 Board of Directors
One new addition was announced at the Conclave membership breakfast.
Members of the AGS International Board of Directors for 2023–2024. Front row: Maria Brown, Bryan Moeller, Sarin Bachmann, Alexis Padis, Lisa Bridge, Sarah Person, John Carter, and Denise Richards. Back row: Kevin Mays, Niveet Nagpal, Ryan Berg, Amanda Coleman-Phelps, Sumit Dangi, Mitchell Clark, David Mazer, and Larry Rickert.
Louisville, Ky.—The American Gem Society confirmed the AGS International Board of Directors for 2023–2024 during its annual membership breakfast, held May 3 during Conclave.
Elected in 2022, Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, CG, remains the association’s president, and Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis, CGA, remains president-elect.
David Mazer, CG, is a new addition to the board, elected as a director-at-large. Mazer is the director of sales and training, diamond buyer, for Marks Jewelers in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. He succeeds Rick Beckett, owner of Skeie's Jewelers in Oregon.
“We are excited to welcome David to the board. He brings valuable expertise, and we look forward to working with him,” said Bridge.
“I would also like to thank Rick Beckett for his service to the American Gem Society Board. His contribution is greatly appreciated, and we count on his continued involvement in the society.”
Also new to the board this year is Sumit Dangi, who was appointed in November of last year, replacing Jamie Luce, who retired in September upon leaving the jewelry industry.
Related stories will be right here …
Elected in 2022, Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, CG, remains the association’s president, and Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis, CGA, remains president-elect.
David Mazer, CG, is a new addition to the board, elected as a director-at-large. Mazer is the director of sales and training, diamond buyer, for Marks Jewelers in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. He succeeds Rick Beckett, owner of Skeie's Jewelers in Oregon.
“We are excited to welcome David to the board. He brings valuable expertise, and we look forward to working with him,” said Bridge.
“I would also like to thank Rick Beckett for his service to the American Gem Society Board. His contribution is greatly appreciated, and we count on his continued involvement in the society.”
Also new to the board this year is Sumit Dangi, who was appointed in November of last year, replacing Jamie Luce, who retired in September upon leaving the jewelry industry.
Joining the president and president-elect, along with Mazer and Dangi, on AGS’s International Board of Directors are the following industry members.
Secretary and chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: Bryan Moeller, CGA
Senior advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Chair, AGS Laboratories Advisory Committee and Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter, CGA
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Maria Brown, RJ
Chair, Membership Committee: Mitchell Clark, CG
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA
Chair, Education Committee: Sarah Person, CG
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards, CGA
Director-at-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-at-Large: Ryan Berg, CG
Director-at-Large: Kevin Mays, CGA
Director-at-Large: Niveet Nagpal, CG
AGS Conclave 2024 will be held April 15-17 in Austin, Texas, with more details to follow.
To learn more about the American Gem Society, visit its website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
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.
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 QuizApr 03, 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.
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.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
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.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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.
