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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.
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