SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
