AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
Events & AwardsApr 19, 2016
Scott Berg Becomes AGS Board President
John Carter of Jack Lewis Jewelers in Bloomington, Ill. was tapped as president-elect, making him next in line to take over after Berg.
Scott Berg, left, was elected president of the American Gem Society’s board of directors while John Carter was tapped as president-elect.
Washington, D.C.--Members of the American Gem Society elected Scott Berg as president of its board of directors at the close of the organization’s annual Conclave.
The certified gemologist (CG), who is a member of the family that runs multi-store independent Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, assumes the role from outgoing president Louis Smith, CG, of Smithworks Fine Jewelry in Spartanburg, S.C. He will remain board president until April 2018.
In addition to being a CG, Berg is a Gemological Institute of America graduate gemologist and holds an MBA from Louisiana State University.
For the past nearly 14 years, he has served as president of the Louisiana market for his family’s jewelry store, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. The company has a total of eight stores in three states--Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.
He also is not the only Berg serving in a leadership position in the jewelry industry; his brother Ryan is the current board chairman of Jewelers of America.
Backing up Berg will be board President-Elect John Carter of Jack Lewis Jewelers in Bloomington, Ill.
Underwood Jewelers’ Michael Richards (CG) was elected as the board secretary while Frank Brown (RJ) of Brown & Company Jewelers was appointed treasurer and Georgie Gleim (CG) of Gleim the Jeweler was tapped as the board’s senior adviser.
The committee chairs are:
AGS Lab Board of Advisers, Clayton Bromberg (CG), Underwood Jewelers;
Conclave Sub-Committee, Carter;
International Guilds Council, Marc Altman (CGA), B & E Jewelers and Gemologist;
Gemological Sciences Committee, Richards;
Education Committee, Lisa Bridge (CG), Ben Bridge Jeweler;
Marketing Committee, Scott Udell, London Jewelers; and
Membership Committee and Grievance & Review, Kelly Newton, Newton’s Jewelers.
The directors-at-large are:
Joel Hassler (CGA), Rasmussen Diamonds;
Scott Murphy, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company;
Alexis Padis (CGA), Padis Jewelry;
Beryl Raff, Helzberg Diamonds;
Ronnie Vanderlinden, Diamex Inc.;
Yancy Weinrich, Reed Jewelry Group; and
Stewart Wicht, Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on April 20, 2016, to reflect that Scott Berg will remain as AGS board president until April 2018, not 2017, as was previously stated.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
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.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 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.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
