Events & AwardsMar 07, 2024
Here Are the Nominees for the 2024 Gem Awards GradingDec 11, 2023
Smithsonian’s Jeffrey Post to Receive 2023 Bonanno Award
Post is being honored for nearly four decades of contributions he made within the Department of Mineral Sciences at the museum.
Dr. Jeffrey Post, curator of gems and minerals, emeritus, and research associate for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, has been named the recipient of AGA’s Bonanno Award and will be honored at the organization’s annual gala in Tucson next year.
San Diego—The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) has announced that Dr. Jeffrey Edward Post, curator of gems and minerals, emeritus, and research associate for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, will receive the 2023 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.
The Bonanno Award, established in 2000, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the gemological field, and a majority vote of the AGA membership elects the award recipients.
During his career at the Smithsonian, Post oversaw the national gems and minerals collection and its expansion to include, now, more than 350,000 mineral specimens and 10,000 gems, the largest of its kind worldwide.
He also made major contributions to scientific literature, having published more than 150 scientific articles from research in the mineralogy, gemology, and geochemistry fields.
He is the author of “The National Gem Collection” and the recently-published “The Smithsonian National Gem Collection—Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels.”
“Dr. Jeffrey Post’s contributions to gemology are substantial through his published works and his support of scientific gemological researchers seeking access to data and specimens from the collection,” said AGA President Teri Brossmer.
“We also laud Jeff’s work to raise the public’s interest in gems and minerals through speaking engagements at community groups and museums.”
Related stories will be right here …
The Bonanno Award, established in 2000, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the gemological field, and a majority vote of the AGA membership elects the award recipients.
During his career at the Smithsonian, Post oversaw the national gems and minerals collection and its expansion to include, now, more than 350,000 mineral specimens and 10,000 gems, the largest of its kind worldwide.
He also made major contributions to scientific literature, having published more than 150 scientific articles from research in the mineralogy, gemology, and geochemistry fields.
He is the author of “The National Gem Collection” and the recently-published “The Smithsonian National Gem Collection—Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels.”
“Dr. Jeffrey Post’s contributions to gemology are substantial through his published works and his support of scientific gemological researchers seeking access to data and specimens from the collection,” said AGA President Teri Brossmer.
“We also laud Jeff’s work to raise the public’s interest in gems and minerals through speaking engagements at community groups and museums.”
Post joined the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History in 1984.
He was chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences from 1989 to 1994 and from 2014 to 2019, and he served as curator-in-charge of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection from 1991 to 2023.
Post was also the lead curator for the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals, which opened in 1997.
Any member of the gemological community who has visited the hall has witnessed “Jeffrey’s passion realized,” AGA said, noting that the vision he created is sure to introduce, mesmerize, teach, and excite people about gems for generations to come.
“Dr. Post was instrumental in hosting numerous outstanding special exhibits at the Smithsonian, including the Dresden Green Diamond, The Allure of Pearls featuring the Hope Pearl and La Peregrina, The Splendor of Diamonds, which highlighted the Steinmetz Pink and the Moussaieff Red, and the 50th anniversary of the Hope Diamond with special guest gem the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond,” said Gary Roskin, who received the award last year.
“This meeting of the two world’s largest deep blue diamonds gave Jeff the opportunity to facilitate the significant gemological study of the two blues. Dr. Post was also instrumental in acquiring permanent donations of gems and jewels to the Smithsonian’s collection, including the Lion of Merelani Tsavorite, the Dom Pedro Aquamarine, and so many more.”
In May, Post was appointed curator of gems and minerals, emeritus, and research associate for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Post is a native of Wisconsin. He received his Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville, and earned his doctorate in chemistry, with a specialty in geochemistry, from Arizona State University.
Prior to joining the Smithsonian, he was a postdoctoral research fellow for three years in the Department of Geological Sciences at Harvard University
Post will be recognized at the AGA’s Gala Dinner Dance following the AGA gemological conference on Jan. 31, 2024, at the Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel.
He will receive a personalized plaque and honorarium funded by the AGA membership.
Tickets to attend the conference and gala celebration are available online.
More on Grading
The Latest
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
