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This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley Award
The American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
John Carter (right) presented the 2026 Robert M. Shipley Award to R. Michael Richards (left) on Wednesday during AGS Conclave, held in Orlando, Florida.
Orlando, Fl.—The American Gem Society (AGS) presented the Robert M. Shipley Award to R. Michael Richards, president of Underwood’s Jewelers in Florida.
The award was given to Richards by John Carter, president of Jack Lewis Jewelers, past president of the AGS international board of directors, and the 2024 Shipley Award recipient, during the annual Robert M. Shipley Award Luncheon at AGS Conclave on Wednesday.
Carter, a longtime friend of Richards, said, “If I know [Michael], he’s thinking ‘Why me?’ And that’s exactly why he is worthy of this award.”
Richards served as president of AGS’ board from 2020 to 2022, right after Carter’s term and at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Carter said was one of the most challenging periods in AGS history.
Carter recalled how sad he was for his friend that he would miss out on the full experience of being named president.
“There was no fanfare. There was no passing of the medal on stage to applause and there was no acceptance speech,” said Carter.
Instead, Carter traveled down to Jacksonville to celebrate Richards’ presidency with a small dinner.
In hindsight, it was perhaps the perfect ceremony for Richards.
“Michael is not the sort of person that needs applause. He’s a quiet servant. He always has been. I don’t know that anybody embodies this award more than [him],” said Carter.
The Robert M. Shipley Award is presented annually to an AGS member for outstanding service to the society, for significant contribution to the science of gemology, and for exemplifying the high purposes, objectives, and ideals of AGS in the member’s community.
“This recognition means the world to me,” said Richards.
“I have been very fortunate to both learn and work alongside many of the Robert M. Shipley Award recipients. My receiving of this award is a reflection of their guidance and their encouragement throughout my career.”
Richards began working at the age of 15 and has had only three jobs in his lifetime, said AGS, and all three roles were at AGS member jewelry stores.
He joined Underwood’s as a store manager in 1990, and would later earn his graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. He was named president of Underwood’s in 2024.
Richards also thanked his wife, Denise, who he met at Underwood’s, and their son, Evan.
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The award was given to Richards by John Carter, president of Jack Lewis Jewelers, past president of the AGS international board of directors, and the 2024 Shipley Award recipient, during the annual Robert M. Shipley Award Luncheon at AGS Conclave on Wednesday.
Carter, a longtime friend of Richards, said, “If I know [Michael], he’s thinking ‘Why me?’ And that’s exactly why he is worthy of this award.”
Richards served as president of AGS’ board from 2020 to 2022, right after Carter’s term and at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Carter said was one of the most challenging periods in AGS history.
Carter recalled how sad he was for his friend that he would miss out on the full experience of being named president.
“There was no fanfare. There was no passing of the medal on stage to applause and there was no acceptance speech,” said Carter.
Instead, Carter traveled down to Jacksonville to celebrate Richards’ presidency with a small dinner.
In hindsight, it was perhaps the perfect ceremony for Richards.
“Michael is not the sort of person that needs applause. He’s a quiet servant. He always has been. I don’t know that anybody embodies this award more than [him],” said Carter.
The Robert M. Shipley Award is presented annually to an AGS member for outstanding service to the society, for significant contribution to the science of gemology, and for exemplifying the high purposes, objectives, and ideals of AGS in the member’s community.
“This recognition means the world to me,” said Richards.
“I have been very fortunate to both learn and work alongside many of the Robert M. Shipley Award recipients. My receiving of this award is a reflection of their guidance and their encouragement throughout my career.”
Richards began working at the age of 15 and has had only three jobs in his lifetime, said AGS, and all three roles were at AGS member jewelry stores.
He joined Underwood’s as a store manager in 1990, and would later earn his graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. He was named president of Underwood’s in 2024.
Richards also thanked his wife, Denise, who he met at Underwood’s, and their son, Evan.
Richards joined the AGS international board of directors in 2009 and served on numerous committees, chairing both the education committee and the gemological sciences committee.
During his tenure as AGS president, Richards played a major role in strengthening the partnership between AGS and GIA, including the transition of AGS Laboratories’ intellectual property and related assets to GIA.
He currently serves as chair of AGS’ grievance and review subcommittee, and is also vice president of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
Outside of the jewelry industry, he serves on a local theater board and a Catholic school board.
“Michael led the society through a period of real change and never lost sight of why we exist,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS, in a statement.
“He believes wholeheartedly in our mission and has devoted his life and career to upholding its values of ethics, education, professionalism, and consumer protection.”
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