Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsEvents & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner
AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Blake Graham (left) is the 2025 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship winner, a joint award from AGS and GIA, while Jessica Kohoutek has won the “Women in Leadership” scholarship from AGS.
Las Vegas, Nevada—The American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America have named the winner of the 2025 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship.
This year, the honor goes to Blake Graham, CSA, of Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The scholarship covers tuition for the GIA Graduate Gemologist program, either online or at the Carlsbad, California, campus, as well as the AGS Way Course.
It also covers registration for the upcoming Converge event, held by AGS and GIA.
“Receiving the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship is an incredible honor and a meaningful affirmation of my dedication to gemology,” said Graham.
“It is a generous show of support that motivates me to keep learning with integrity and curiosity, and to uphold the excellence it represents. I’m truly grateful for the recognition and encouragement.”
Graham is the store director and manager at Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising from Louisiana State University.
After graduating, he began his career in jewelry retail, later joining Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers.
He works under the mentorship of owner Bayardo Jiron, learning more about custom design, jewelry repair, and appraisals.
Upon Jiron’s retirement, Graham is set to take over the business, AGS said.
AGS and GIA created the award in 2019 in honor of businesswoman Beatrice Shipley.
Beatrice and her husband, Robert Shipley, founded both organizations in the 1930s, cashing in their savings to establish them. Their goals were to educate jewelers, professionalize the industry, and create a jewelers guild.
Related stories will be right here …
This year, the honor goes to Blake Graham, CSA, of Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The scholarship covers tuition for the GIA Graduate Gemologist program, either online or at the Carlsbad, California, campus, as well as the AGS Way Course.
It also covers registration for the upcoming Converge event, held by AGS and GIA.
“Receiving the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship is an incredible honor and a meaningful affirmation of my dedication to gemology,” said Graham.
“It is a generous show of support that motivates me to keep learning with integrity and curiosity, and to uphold the excellence it represents. I’m truly grateful for the recognition and encouragement.”
Graham is the store director and manager at Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising from Louisiana State University.
After graduating, he began his career in jewelry retail, later joining Hannon Gemologists & Master Jewelers.
He works under the mentorship of owner Bayardo Jiron, learning more about custom design, jewelry repair, and appraisals.
Upon Jiron’s retirement, Graham is set to take over the business, AGS said.
AGS and GIA created the award in 2019 in honor of businesswoman Beatrice Shipley.
Beatrice and her husband, Robert Shipley, founded both organizations in the 1930s, cashing in their savings to establish them. Their goals were to educate jewelers, professionalize the industry, and create a jewelers guild.
AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship, which aims to foster diversity and support emerging women leaders in the jewelry industry through mentorship.
The recipient is Jessica Kohoutek, RJ, of Redlands Jewelers in Redlands, California.
Kohoutek will receive complimentary registration to Converge, a $500 gift card, and a personalized mentorship experience coordinated by AGS.
She was chosen for her “strong leadership potential and passion for the industry,” said the organization.
“Receiving the AGS Women in Leadership Scholarship is an incredible honor. The American Gem Society has long been a name that I have looked up to for setting the standard of integrity in our industry, and to be recognized by such an organization — especially at this point in my journey — is both humbling and deeply encouraging. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to keep growing under the value AGS represents,” she said.
Kohoutek is a gemologist, appraiser, and custom jewelry designer at Redlands Jewelers.
In addition to being a graduate gemologist, she is a member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
“After years of balancing independent work and ongoing education while raising a family, Jessica is now stepping fully back into her professional career,” said AGS.
She has extensive CAD jewelry design training, said AGS, and blends creativity with precision.
For more information about AGS and its scholarship programs, visit the AGS website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
EditorsOct 01, 2025
Playing Favorites: The Best Jewelry From VicenzaoroAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco visited Italy to spot jewelry trends at the September Vicenzaoro show and share her top finds.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
FinancialsOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
