Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
AGS names NY/NJ chapter as guild of the year
The American Gem Society recognized the New York/New Jersey Guild as its most active and productive in 2013, naming it as the “Guild of the Year” at its recent Conclave in San Diego.

New York--The American Gem Society recognized the New York/New Jersey Guild as its most active and productive in 2013, naming it as the “Guild of the Year” at its recent Conclave in San Diego.
The Guild of the Year award is presented based on number of meetings and attendees; quality of speakers and variety of topics; interaction with GIA alumni chapters and the local community; number of leads for new AGS members; and number of members in the geographic area.
The New York/New Jersey chapter is headed by Marcellia Cruz-Hicks, who serves as president of the guild. Accepting the award alongside her in San Diego on April 25 were fellow guild members Angela Crespo, Marc Nanasi, Nicky Mehta, Andy Padte and Peter Stavriandis.
“The New York/New Jersey Guild is one of our oldest running guilds. They meet frequently and have enticing programs. In 2013, programs ranged from diamond cutting to a tour at Google. They really do set a standard for maintaining the integrity and growth of our national guilds, thus contributing immensely to the American Gem Society quality of membership,” said Laura Stanley, who is chair of the international guilds for AGS.
Robert M. Shipley founded the American Gem Society in 1934. It is a not-for-profit trade association that focuses on ethics, knowledge and consumer protection in the jewelry industry. Member jewelers must pass annual recertification exams to maintain their titles. Less than 5 percent of U.S. jewelers qualify as members of the AGS.
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