Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
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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.
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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.
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