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
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
