SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as President
He, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced its new board of directors.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced the results of its board of directors election.
Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite will step into the position of president, serving a three-year term.
Matt Hopkins of Hopkins Opal, Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., and Dudley Blauwet Dudley of Blauwet Gems were re-elected.
Hopkins and Kotahwala will serve three-year terms, and Blauwet will serve two years.
Two new directors were elected. They are Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corporation and Tracy Lindwall, Nomad's Lapidary Co., Inc. (Nomads). Each will serve a three-year term.
The directors-elect will take office in February 2025.
The following members will continue with their positions on the board:
-Rohan Agrawal;
-Ann Barker;
-John Bradshaw;
-Melinda Daniel;
-Jonathan Gad;
-Ravi Jajoo;
-Cynthia Renee;
-Ron Rahmanan; and
-Jaimeen Shah.
Related stories will be right here …
Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite will step into the position of president, serving a three-year term.
Matt Hopkins of Hopkins Opal, Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, Inc., and Dudley Blauwet Dudley of Blauwet Gems were re-elected.
Hopkins and Kotahwala will serve three-year terms, and Blauwet will serve two years.
Two new directors were elected. They are Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corporation and Tracy Lindwall, Nomad's Lapidary Co., Inc. (Nomads). Each will serve a three-year term.
The directors-elect will take office in February 2025.
The following members will continue with their positions on the board:
-Rohan Agrawal;
-Ann Barker;
-John Bradshaw;
-Melinda Daniel;
-Jonathan Gad;
-Ravi Jajoo;
-Cynthia Renee;
-Ron Rahmanan; and
-Jaimeen Shah.
Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems has moved into the past-president position.
Eric Yen of Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories is also an outgoing director.
Their terms will end in February.
Past President Ruben Bindra chaired the nominating committee, comprised of members John Bachman, Afshin Hackman, David Nassi, and Shekhar Shah.
The new board members will be introduced at the AGTA Membership Meeting, held during AGTA GemFair Tucson from Feb. 3-9, 2025. The meeting is open to all AGTA members.
For more information, please contact info@agta.org or 800-972-1162.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry CollabThe jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
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.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
