Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeMajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President
She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Alexis Padis has been re-elected president of the American Gem Society’s board of directors. Padis is president of Padis Jewelry, a Bay Area independent jeweler she runs alongside her parents, Steve and Judy Padis. (Photo courtesy of AGS)
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society has announced the members of its international board of directors for the 2025-2026 term.
Alexis Padis, president of San Francisco-based Padis Jewelry, was elected to lead the board again, serving her second and final term as board president.
She took the reins from Lisa Bridge last April at AGS Conclave 2024 in Austin, Texas.
There was no Conclave this year, as AGS is co-hosting an event with the Gemological Institute of America later this year instead.
Called Converge, it is scheduled for Sept. 7-10 in Carlsbad, California.
Padis called it a “true privilege” to work alongside the other members of the AGS board.
“Their passion for our mission and the richness of their diverse perspectives gives me profound confidence in the future of the American Gem Society,” she said.
“I look forward to all we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.”
Padis leads an executive committee that consists of the following.
President-Elect: Bryan Moeller
Secretary: Mitchell Clark
Senior Advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Rickert succeeds Sumit Dangi as board treasurer and head of the Finance, Audit & Legal Committee.
The committee chairs for the 2025-2026 terms are as follows.
Education Committee: Kevin Mays
Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards
Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter
International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps
Membership Committee: Sarah Person
Young Titleholders Committee: Dave Bindra
Related stories will be right here …
Alexis Padis, president of San Francisco-based Padis Jewelry, was elected to lead the board again, serving her second and final term as board president.
She took the reins from Lisa Bridge last April at AGS Conclave 2024 in Austin, Texas.
There was no Conclave this year, as AGS is co-hosting an event with the Gemological Institute of America later this year instead.
Called Converge, it is scheduled for Sept. 7-10 in Carlsbad, California.
Padis called it a “true privilege” to work alongside the other members of the AGS board.
“Their passion for our mission and the richness of their diverse perspectives gives me profound confidence in the future of the American Gem Society,” she said.
“I look forward to all we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.”
Padis leads an executive committee that consists of the following.
President-Elect: Bryan Moeller
Secretary: Mitchell Clark
Senior Advisor: William Farmer Jr.
Treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Audit & Legal Committee: Larry Rickert
Rickert succeeds Sumit Dangi as board treasurer and head of the Finance, Audit & Legal Committee.
The committee chairs for the 2025-2026 terms are as follows.
Education Committee: Kevin Mays
Conclave Subcommittee: Denise Richards
Gemological Sciences Committee: John Carter
International Guilds Council: Amanda Coleman-Phelps
Membership Committee: Sarah Person
Young Titleholders Committee: Dave Bindra
The AGS membership also approved the appointment of eight directors-at-large for the organization.
They are as follows.
Chris Anderson
Sarin Bachmann
Ryan Berg
Brecken Farnsworth
Brad Hampton
Kendra Lindell
David Mazer
Melissa Quick
Anderson, Farnsworth, and Lindell are new to the board, while Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems just concluded his board service.
Padis thanked him for his support and dedication to AGS.
She said, “Niveet’s deep expertise and generous contributions of time and energy, whether in board meetings, volunteer initiatives, or committee work, have enriched our community in countless meaningful ways.”
The call for individuals to serve on the 2026–2027 AGS International Board of Directors will take place in early 2026.
Anyone interested in volunteering for an AGS committee or learning more about AGS membership can email membership@ags.org.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
