Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest HonorSourcingDec 02, 2025
Brendan Laurs Honored With 2025 Bonanno Award
Laurs is the editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and an expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
Brendan M. Laurs is the recipient of the 2025 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology. An annual honor bestowed by AGA, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of gemology and the gemstone industry. (Photo credit: Robert Weldon)
San Diego— The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) announced Monday that Brendan M. Laurs, a geologist, gemologist, and editor, is the recipient of the 2025 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.
The organization—whose members select the recipient of the award—said the honor reflects Laurs’ “exceptional influence on the field of gemology and his enduring commitment to the scientific study and global understanding of gemstones.”
Based in the San Diego area, Laurs is an internationally recognized expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master’s in geology from Oregon State University. At Oregon State, his graduate work focused on pegmatite-related gem deposits, including emeralds and tourmalines, in northern Pakistan.
He is also a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist (GG) and a Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA), a designation given by The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A).
Related stories will be right here …
The organization—whose members select the recipient of the award—said the honor reflects Laurs’ “exceptional influence on the field of gemology and his enduring commitment to the scientific study and global understanding of gemstones.”
Based in the San Diego area, Laurs is an internationally recognized expert on the formation of colored gemstone deposits.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master’s in geology from Oregon State University. At Oregon State, his graduate work focused on pegmatite-related gem deposits, including emeralds and tourmalines, in northern Pakistan.
He is also a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist (GG) and a Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA), a designation given by The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A).
AGA said throughout this career, Laurs has conducted research on colored gemstone deposits around the world, including ones in Africa, Brazil, Asia, and the United States.
He also briefly served as an exploration geologist for Kennecott Exploration Co., working with rare gemstones such as benitoite and red beryl.
From 1997 to 2012, Laurs was the editor of Gems & Gemology, GIA’s quarterly scientific journal.
Since 2013, he has been editor-in-chief of Gem-A’s The Journal of Gemmology and has played a key role in putting together the association’s annual conference in London.
Laurs is slated to be a featured presenter at the AGA Gemological Conference in Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. 4, and will be formally honored at the AGA Gala Dinner-Dance that evening.
He will receive a personalized award plaque and an honorarium funded by the AGA membership.
For more information, registration, and tickets for the 2026 AGA Tucson Conference and Gala, visit the AGA website.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
