EditorsJan 16, 2026
Remembering Pete Yantzer for His Contributions and His Kindness Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.
GradingApr 27, 2014
AGS crowns 2014 Shipley Award winner
The American Gem Society named industry veteran Doug Parker as the 2014 Robert M. Shipley award winner on Friday during Conclave.
Industry Veteran Doug Parker, pictured right, was named the 2014 Robert M. Shipley award winner at Conclave on Friday. He is pictured here with Bill Sites, owner and president of Sites Jewelers and previous winner of the award.
San Diego--The American Gem Society named industry veteran Doug Parker as the 2014 Robert M. Shipley award winner on Friday during Conclave.
AGS said Parker was a worthy recipient based his outstanding commitment to professional excellence, education, innovation, and customer and community service.
When Parker was first getting his footing in the industry, he was part of the GIA’s resident training program in New York, and would later be hired as a GIA instructor. He kept his connection with GIA after moving back to South Carolina and eventually returned as a diamond grading instructor, among many other industry positions.
He has also served as the chair of the AGS’ Gemological Science Committee for a number of years as well as the chair of the AGS Lab Board of Managers.
Parker resides in Point Lookout, N.Y.
“Working with the AGS and the board has been a great honor, and I thank you,” Parker said at the luncheon where the award was announced on Friday.
Presented annually since 1967, the Shipley award recognizes leaders in the industry while paying homage to AGS founder Robert M. Shipley, considered to be the father of organized gemological research and education in the United States.
Recent past Shipley award winners have included Bill Boyajian, former president of the GIA, in 2013; Fred Weber of Weber Jewelers in Dayton, Ohio, in 2012; and Ronnie L. Cox, owner and operator of John R. Cox & Sons in Sweetwater, Texas, in 2011, among many others.
At the luncheon event, AGS also awarded Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers with the first Sallie Morton Guild Award, created just this year to recognize individuals who have gone over and above in their service to the AGS Guilds each year.
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