AGS Confirms Members of 2023-2024 Board of Directors
One new addition was announced at the Conclave membership breakfast.

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.
The Latest

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.


It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

The initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.






















