Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsEvents & AwardsDec 10, 2024
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 American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), in partnership with the University of Arizona (UA), has launched the Dick Greenwood Memorial Scholarship in Gems Science, created in honor of the late gemstone dealer Dick Greenwood.
Dallas—The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has announced a new scholarship created in partnership with the University of Arizona (UA).
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!”
Related stories will be right here …
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.
Richard (Dick) Greenwood, former owner of A. F. Greenwood & Co.
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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
SourcingMar 21, 2025
BrankoGems To Hold Conference in MontanaThe event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.
TrendsMar 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marrow Fine’s ‘Til Death’ RingAfter the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMar 20, 2025
Korman Fine Jewelry’s New Store Is Double the Size The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.
Weekly QuizMar 21, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyMar 20, 2025
Chris Ploof, Severine Ferrari Launch YouTube Video Series“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.
Lab-GrownMar 20, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond SectorAs lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsMar 19, 2025
Signet Jewelers to Close Stores, Cut Staff Amid Declining SalesThe moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.
CollectionsMar 19, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s New Collection Elevates Office WearThe “Rush Hour” campaign stars Zoë Kravitz in bold, wearable pieces designed to make a statement in the workplace.
WatchesMar 19, 2025
Breitling Acquires Another Watch Brand From the 1800sBreitling is reviving Gallet, which was founded in 1826 and is known for making watches used in the early days of long-distance travel.
AuctionsMar 19, 2025
10-Carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Expected to Sell for $20MDubbed the “Mediterranean Blue,” this “remarkably rare” diamond will be part of Sotheby’s May jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsMar 19, 2025
AGS Adds New Program, Relaunches CSAThe American Gem Society now offers a Jewelry Evaluation Advisor designation as well as an updated Certified Sales Associate designation.
CollectionsMar 18, 2025
Beck Debuts New Collection as Trove’s Latest Designer-in-ResidenceRebecca Zeijdel-Paz created more than 75 new pieces for the residency, which will be on display at Trove’s store in New York through April.
ColumnistsMar 18, 2025
Peter Smith: The Importance of Culture in HiringSmith explores why a qualified candidate might still not be right for the job.
WatchesMar 18, 2025
Citizen Announces New Modern Luxury Watch CategoryThe “Series8” and “Attesa” collections will be grouped under Citizen Premier.
MajorsMar 18, 2025
Borsheims Names New Assistant IT ManagerDavid Fager, a former systems engineer at the retailer, was promoted to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
Gem Awards Honor All Facets of the IndustryFrom retailers to designers and the media, the fine jewelry industry recognized one another’s work and looked to the future.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
GIA Names Winner of Emerging Jewelry Design Talent AwardEleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
MajorsMar 17, 2025
Tous Names U.S. Managing Director, VPJoseph Cavalcante takes on the dual role as the Spanish jewelry brand looks to expand further into the U.S. market.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2025
CBG Expands Las Vegas Show to 3 DaysThe trade show has also upgraded its venue to the Caesars Forum Conference Center.
IndependentsMar 14, 2025
Stafford’s Diamonds in Ohio to Close After 40 YearsThe Dayton-based jeweler, which has been in business since 1985, was formerly known as Stafford Jewelers.
Events & AwardsMar 14, 2025
JVC Reveals Recipient of Stanley Schechter AwardReeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer will be presented with the honor at JVC’s annual luncheon.
CollectionsMar 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Sorellina’s Aries Zodiac PendantThe piece, celebrating birthdays from March 21 to April 19, debuted with Sorellina’s new line of astrological pendants.
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Tanishq Opens 2 New Stores in the U.S.The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.
FinancialsMar 13, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Sales Struggled Amid Engagement RecoveryCEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.
CollectionsMar 13, 2025
Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.
