AGTA Launches Scholarship for University of Arizona Geosciences Students
The inaugural Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science will cover the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.

The Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science was created in honor of the late gemstone dealer Richard (Dick) Greenwood who died in 2019.
The scholarship will fund one year of tuition and fees for a fourth-year Geosciences major at UA.
The first award will cover the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
AGTA will pay the student’s tuition directly to UA, and this scholarship will exist in perpetuity.
The funding comes from a newly formed AGTA 501(c)(3) Foundation, which will accept tax-deductible donations from the industry, as well as provide funding from its trade shows.
Criteria for applicant selection will be established by the AGTA Foundation scholarship committee early next year.
Officials at UA said they are delighted to offer their students this opportunity.
“We thank AGTA for its generosity in helping us move closer toward our mission of educating young minds who will fill and expand the pipeline of the next generation of gem and mineral experts,” said Joellen Russell, a UA distinguished professor, and Thomas R. Brown, a distinguished chair of Integrative Science, and head of the department of Geosciences in a joint statement.
“The UA Geosciences [department] is deeply impressed by the commitment of AGTA to our young gem and mineral scientists and their future careers. Collaborating with AGTA to train and support the next generation of gem science leaders has been a long-held goal of our UA Geosciences [department] that we are delighted is growing rapidly!”
The idea for this scholarship came shortly after Greenwood’s passing.
He was remembered as being generous with his time and knowledge, especially for industry newcomers, and he ran the wholesale gemstone business A. F. Greenwood & Co., which was started by his father.

Greenwood was also devoted to the jewelry industry and contributed in various ways, including serving on the American Gem Society board, as well as on the AGTA board, where he served as president twice.
With help from Greenwood’s colleagues and dedicated donations, AGTA Board President Kimberly Collins has worked to ensure the scholarship was established.
“I am thrilled that we are finally able to make this education scholarship in Dick Greenwood’s name a reality,” said Collins, whose three-year term will end next year.
“This was one of my last goals as president, to make sure it came to fruition. Richard (Dick) Greenwood epitomized what AGTA strives for in the gemstone and jewelry industry. The highest ethical standards and integrity. He was always striving to learn more, to be better, to be responsible. To take care of those that enable us to be successful.”
Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite will become president at the 2025 AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA praised Collins for seeing the project through.
“The idea for this scholarship started at AGTA, but I want to credit Kim for never giving up on this idea and fulfilling this promise made to honor Dick Greenwood’s legacy,” he said.
“Kim persisted to see it through to completion. This scholarship is the first initiative on a long list of commitments that AGTA has in store to bring more young people into the industry and work with the UA to do so.”
Questions about the scholarship can be directed to AGTA at info@agta.org or to Scott Coleman, director of marketing and communications for the UA College of Science, at scottcoleman@arizona.edu.
The Latest

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.


The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.

Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.

Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.

Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.

Two men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.

The “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.