This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Katherine Bodoh Named CEO of AGS, AGS Labs
She’s the second woman to lead the organization, following in the footsteps of her friend and mentor Ruth Batson.

Las Vegas--The American Gem Society announced Thursday that Katherine Bodoh, its current deputy executive director, will take over as CEO next year when longtime leader Ruth Batson retires.
She succeeds a woman whom she considers to be both a friend and mentor, and is only the second woman named CEO in AGS’s 82-year history.
Bodoh officially will take over March 1, with Batson staying on until the end of May--a period that will include the biggest AGS event of the year, Conclave--to assist in the transition.
A native of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, Bodoh joined AGS as the deputy executive director in April 2015 from Neenah, Wisconsin-based Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co.
There, as the company’s director of commercial lines marketing and industry relations, she began working in a strategic partnership role with AGS. She also was very active as a liaison between the AGS Guilds and Jewelers Mutual.
Prior to that, Bodoh was special events manager at MJSA.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University in New Orleans and is an AGS Registered Jeweler (RJ).
Commenting on the appointment to National Jeweler on Thursday, Batson said she and Bodoh share “a very deep respect for the AGS’s mission and the commitment to consumer protection,” but added that Bodoh brings her own skill set and vision for AGS and AGS Laboratories to the table as well.
When asked about that vision, Bodoh said she wants to continue to improve the technology used to communicate messages and provide services, as well as to provide an excellent experience to customers of AGS Labs.
She said she also wants to expand the AGS’s efforts in the area of consumer awareness, something the organization really emphasized this year with the launch of its consumer ad campaign.
Bodoh said among the biggest challenges currently facing AGS members are finding a way to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace and delivering the excellent experience needed to compete with other luxury goods.
Batson, who announced her intention to retire at the beginning of the year, started working at AGS in 1993 and was appointed CEO in 2002. (The title of CEO of AGS Labs was added in 2012.)
She said Thursday that she was exactly the same age as Bodoh is now when she took the helm at AGS--38.
The search for her replacement officially began in August, with an internal committee made up of AGS members, led by jeweler and former AGS
Batson said there were a total of 55 applicants to start. The field eventually was narrowed down to five candidates and then reduced again before they selected Bodoh.
After retirement, Batson will split her time between her home in Las Vegas, where AGS is headquartered, and her family’s ranch in Montana.
“She’s been a mentor to me, and she will always be a mentor, a close friend and professional advisor for the rest of my life,” Bodoh said of Batson.
“And I am honored to do that,” Batson replied.
Bodoh also credited the AGS staff for aiding in the organization’s success.
“I am honored to be the next leader but ... we are surrounded by wonderful people and that’s why we are able to do what we do here, (that) and our partnership with our board of directors.”
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.