AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
GradingJan 12, 2026
Peter Yantzer, Former Executive Director of AGS Labs, Dies at 77
Yantzer is remembered for the profound influence he had on diamond cut grading as well as his contagious smile and quick wit.
Peter Yantzer, a gemologist whose career spanned decades and was instrumental in the evolution of diamond cut grading, died Saturday at age 77.
Las Vegas—Peter Yantzer, the former executive director of American Gem Society Laboratories, died Saturday due to complications from cancer.
He was 77.
AGS shared the news of Yantzer’s passing with members of the industry on Sunday.
Yantzer, an American Gem Society ECGA, started his career with the Gemological Institute of America in 1973. At that time, he was only the seventh gemologist on GIA’s New York staff.
He joined AGS in 1996 as the first executive director of AGS Laboratories.
At AGS Labs, Yantzer was instrumental in developing the popular AGS Light Performance Cut Grade, a “milestone that fundamentally changed diamond grading,” the organization said.
“Peter’s contributions to AGS and the industry are vast and have profoundly influenced the course of diamond grading,” AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh said.
“We are deeply grateful for his leadership of AGS Laboratories and the lasting impact he made on the AGS community. We will especially miss his warm smile, quick wit, and genuine love of life.”
In 2005, AGS awarded Yantzer its highest honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award.
He retired in November 2015.
That same year, the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California honored Yantzer with its first Lifetime Service Award.
A more detailed story covering Yantzer’s contributions to the jewelry industry will be published on National Jeweler.com later this week.
Those with memories they would like to share should contact National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
He was 77.
AGS shared the news of Yantzer’s passing with members of the industry on Sunday.
Yantzer, an American Gem Society ECGA, started his career with the Gemological Institute of America in 1973. At that time, he was only the seventh gemologist on GIA’s New York staff.
He joined AGS in 1996 as the first executive director of AGS Laboratories.
At AGS Labs, Yantzer was instrumental in developing the popular AGS Light Performance Cut Grade, a “milestone that fundamentally changed diamond grading,” the organization said.
“Peter’s contributions to AGS and the industry are vast and have profoundly influenced the course of diamond grading,” AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh said.
“We are deeply grateful for his leadership of AGS Laboratories and the lasting impact he made on the AGS community. We will especially miss his warm smile, quick wit, and genuine love of life.”
In 2005, AGS awarded Yantzer its highest honor, the Robert M. Shipley Award.
He retired in November 2015.
That same year, the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California honored Yantzer with its first Lifetime Service Award.
A more detailed story covering Yantzer’s contributions to the jewelry industry will be published on National Jeweler.com later this week.
Those with memories they would like to share should contact National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
