SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
IndependentsNov 03, 2017
Sallie Morton, First Female President of AGS, Dies at 91
Morton died Oct. 24 of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.
Sallie Morton
Los Gatos, Calif.--Sallie Morton, the American Gem Society’s first female president and a vital part of the growth of its guilds, died Oct. 24. She was 91.
She was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, in June 2013, according to an online obituary.
Morton was born Nov. 8, 1925, in Reno, Nevada, to Meredith Raines Miller and Sadie Phillips Miller.
After graduating from Reno High School, she went on to the University of Oregon, where she graduated with a degree in accounting and then worked for Skinner & Hammond in San Francisco.
In September 1949, she married MacDonald G. Morton from Riverside, California and moved to San Jose, where he was a senior in the watchmaking program at San Jose State University. The two opened a watch repair shop inside Bettencourt’s Market.
They moved to Cambrian Park Plaza in 1955, at which time Sallie became a gemologist.
Morton Jewelers was established in 1964 and remained in Town & Country Village through 1988. (When it was torn down to build Santana Row years later, asbestos was found in its roof.)
In 1988, they moved the store to Los Gatos. Six years later, Morton sold it and retired.
She was named the first female president of the American Gem Society in 1977 and served in the role until 1979. Morton also was instrumental in developing the AGS Guilds, driving around the country and going from store to store to spark interest.
In 1982, she became the first woman to receive the Robert M. Shipley Award.
In 2014, the American Gem Society starting giving out the annual Sallie Morton Award, recognizing the contribution of individuals who have gone over and above in their service to the AGS Guilds each year.
She also was involved in plenty of activities outside of the industry, including the Rotary Club of San Jose and the National Lymphedema Society, as well as affiliations with the Good Samaritan Hospital’s H2U trips and Tours Travel Program.
“(She was) a true trailblazer not just for women, but men as well who wanted to succeed in the jewelry industry. She was a great example of someone who, like many, was not born into this industry, but could soar to new heights,” said Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers, the first recipient of the AGS Sallie Morton Guild Award.
Calhoun added that once, when she asked her how she achieved so much, Morton told
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
her that she never wasted time.
“I will be forever inspired by the passion of Sallie Morton and her passion for the American Gem Society,” she said, “R.I.P. my friend! You did good.”
AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh posted on the organization’s Facebook page: “Ms. Morton’s contribution to the American Gem Society will never be forgotten. We are forever grateful for all she has done for our association.”
A memorial service will be held at The Terraces of Los Gatos from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, her family is asking that donations be made to Compassion & Choices, P.O. Box 485, Etna, New Hampshire, 03750, or to a favorite charity.
“I will be forever inspired by the passion of Sallie Morton and her passion for the American Gem Society,” she said, “R.I.P. my friend! You did good.”
AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh posted on the organization’s Facebook page: “Ms. Morton’s contribution to the American Gem Society will never be forgotten. We are forever grateful for all she has done for our association.”
A memorial service will be held at The Terraces of Los Gatos from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, her family is asking that donations be made to Compassion & Choices, P.O. Box 485, Etna, New Hampshire, 03750, or to a favorite charity.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports HistoryThe museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.
