EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, left, welcomes Padis Jewelry President Alexis Padis as the new president of the American Gem Society International Board of Directors at AGS Conclave 2024, held April 15-17 in Austin, Texas.
Austin, Texas—The American Gem Society welcomed a new board president at Conclave last week in what was a historic first for the 90-year-old organization.
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge completed her second one-year term and welcomed Alexis Padis as the new board president, marking the first time in history that the presidency has passed from one woman to another.
Padis is president of Padis Jewelry, a San Francisco-based independent jeweler with five stores that she runs alongside her parents, Steve and Judy Padis. She is also an AGS Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
Bridge passed the torch to Padis at the organization’s annual Membership Breakfast, held April 17, the final day of AGS Conclave in Austin, Texas.
For the 2024-2025 term, Padis will lead a board consisting of the following.
President-Elect: Bryan Moeller
Secretary: Mitchell Clark
Senior Advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and Chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Sumit Dangi
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Dave Bindra
Chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter
Chair, Membership Committee: Sarah Person
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps
Chair, Education Committee: Kevin Mays
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards
Director-At-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-At-Large: Ryan Berg
Director-At-Large: Melissa Quick
Director-At-Large: Brad Hampton
Director-At-Large: David Mazer
Director-At-Large: Niveet Nagpal
Director-At-Large: Larry Rickert
Quick, Hampton, and Bindra are new additions to the board.
Related stories will be right here …
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge completed her second one-year term and welcomed Alexis Padis as the new board president, marking the first time in history that the presidency has passed from one woman to another.
Padis is president of Padis Jewelry, a San Francisco-based independent jeweler with five stores that she runs alongside her parents, Steve and Judy Padis. She is also an AGS Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
Bridge passed the torch to Padis at the organization’s annual Membership Breakfast, held April 17, the final day of AGS Conclave in Austin, Texas.
For the 2024-2025 term, Padis will lead a board consisting of the following.
President-Elect: Bryan Moeller
Secretary: Mitchell Clark
Senior Advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and Chair, Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Sumit Dangi
Chair, Young Titleholders Committee: Dave Bindra
Chair, Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter
Chair, Membership Committee: Sarah Person
Chair, International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps
Chair, Education Committee: Kevin Mays
Chair, Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards
Director-At-Large: Sarin Bachmann
Director-At-Large: Ryan Berg
Director-At-Large: Melissa Quick
Director-At-Large: Brad Hampton
Director-At-Large: David Mazer
Director-At-Large: Niveet Nagpal
Director-At-Large: Larry Rickert
Quick, Hampton, and Bindra are new additions to the board.
Also during Conclave, AGS handed out its traditional slate of awards.
Jewelers Mutual Group received the Sallie Morton Award, the award given to people or organizations for their contributions to the AGS’s national guilds.
The Guild of the Year Award went to Andy Martin, CEO of Wishfluence and president of the Northwest Arkansas Guild, while FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jeffrey Rolands received the John J. Kennedy Award, which honors law enforcement for outstanding service to and support of the jewelry industry.
Jewelers Mutual’s Krystle Craycraft, center, is pictured holding the Sallie Morton Award, surrounded by members of the Jewelers Mutual team.
At the Titleholders Luncheon, Mays of John Mays Jewelers received the Young Titleholder of the Year Award.
Valerie Madison of Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry was recognized as the recipient of the scholarship to attend Conclave presented by the Black in Jewelry Coalition and the Young Titleholders’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
The Young Titleholders also awarded scholarships to attend Conclave to seven jewelers this year.
They were: Daniel Abdallah, Maya Caroleena Jewelers; Lisa Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw; Kimberly Ngarupe, Duke’s Jewelers; Leslie Rollins, Zachary’s Jewelers; David Rubenstein, Betz Jewelers; Torre Spellman, Skeie’s Jewelers; and Tiana Yamaguchi, Vardy’s Jewelers.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
