Events & AwardsApr 13, 2023
AGS, GIA Award Beatrice Shipley Scholarship to Second-Gen JewelerEvents & AwardsMay 04, 2023
Susan Jacques Wins 2023 Shipley Award
Plus, AGS has announced the location for Conclave 2024.
GIA CEO Susan Jacques was presented with the 2023 Robert M. Shipley Award during the American Gem Society’s Conclave event in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday afternoon.
Louisville, Ky.—Gemological Institute of America President and CEO Susan Jacques is the winner of this year’s Robert M. Shipley Award.
Jacques was given the honor Tuesday afternoon at the American Gem Society’s Conclave, held this week in Louisville, Kentucky.
Prior to the award announcement, Jacques was on stage discussing challenges and opportunities within the industry, and appeared surprised to be called back to the podium.
Ruth Batson-McCluer, chair of the Robert M. Shipley Award Committee, past AGS CEO and the 2016 recipient of the award, presented the honor to Jacques.
“[Jacques] is recognized throughout the global gem and jewelry industry for her unwavering integrity, inspiring leadership, and steadfast commitment,” said Batson-McCluer.
Upon accepting the award, Jacques said, “I am immensely grateful and truly honored by this extraordinary recognition and award.”
“I’m speechless, truly. I never expected this, but I cannot tell you how much joy this industry has brought to me. I’ve been blessed with more than 40 years of friendships and just passion for what we do for a living. We help people celebrate the most extraordinary milestones in their lives and they do it with the treasures of Mother Nature. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“Many of you have heard me say over the years that we’re in the happiest industry I know of, and there are challenges, no question, but there are opportunities and optimism. Keep the hope.”
Jacques has been president and CEO of GIA since 2014.
Prior to that, she was the president and CEO of Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska, as of 1994, reporting directly to Warren Buffett. (His company, Berkshire Hathaway, bought a majority stake in the retailer in 1986.)
She joined Borsheims in 1982 as an appraiser and sales associate, just two years after earning her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA.
Jacques is also a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
She has received several awards throughout her career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Jewelry Association in 2010 and the Stanley Schechter Award from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee in 2020.
“Susan is a tireless advocate for the industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, the current CEO of AGS.
“She dedicates her personal and professional time, expertise, and energy to highlighting the importance of the gem and jewelry trade to communities and countries throughout the world. She understands and appreciates the deep connection and trust retailers share with their customers and the special moments that jewelry represents. I am continually inspired by Susan’s steadfast commitment to the mission of consumer protection shared by AGS and GIA.”
Jacques is the sixth recipient from GIA to receive the award since it was first presented in 1968.
Related stories will be right here …
Jacques was given the honor Tuesday afternoon at the American Gem Society’s Conclave, held this week in Louisville, Kentucky.
Prior to the award announcement, Jacques was on stage discussing challenges and opportunities within the industry, and appeared surprised to be called back to the podium.
Ruth Batson-McCluer, chair of the Robert M. Shipley Award Committee, past AGS CEO and the 2016 recipient of the award, presented the honor to Jacques.
“[Jacques] is recognized throughout the global gem and jewelry industry for her unwavering integrity, inspiring leadership, and steadfast commitment,” said Batson-McCluer.
Upon accepting the award, Jacques said, “I am immensely grateful and truly honored by this extraordinary recognition and award.”
“I’m speechless, truly. I never expected this, but I cannot tell you how much joy this industry has brought to me. I’ve been blessed with more than 40 years of friendships and just passion for what we do for a living. We help people celebrate the most extraordinary milestones in their lives and they do it with the treasures of Mother Nature. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“Many of you have heard me say over the years that we’re in the happiest industry I know of, and there are challenges, no question, but there are opportunities and optimism. Keep the hope.”
Jacques has been president and CEO of GIA since 2014.
Prior to that, she was the president and CEO of Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska, as of 1994, reporting directly to Warren Buffett. (His company, Berkshire Hathaway, bought a majority stake in the retailer in 1986.)
She joined Borsheims in 1982 as an appraiser and sales associate, just two years after earning her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA.
Jacques is also a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
She has received several awards throughout her career, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women's Jewelry Association in 2010 and the Stanley Schechter Award from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee in 2020.
“Susan is a tireless advocate for the industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, the current CEO of AGS.
“She dedicates her personal and professional time, expertise, and energy to highlighting the importance of the gem and jewelry trade to communities and countries throughout the world. She understands and appreciates the deep connection and trust retailers share with their customers and the special moments that jewelry represents. I am continually inspired by Susan’s steadfast commitment to the mission of consumer protection shared by AGS and GIA.”
Jacques is the sixth recipient from GIA to receive the award since it was first presented in 1968.
AGS presents the Robert M. Shipley Award, its highest honor, at a luncheon held annually at Conclave.
Shipley, alongside his wife Beatrice, founded both AGS and GIA in the 1930s. The pair cashed in their savings to establish the organization, with the goals of educating jewelers, professionalizing the industry, and creating a jewelers guild.
The award presented in Robert’s honor goes to an AGS member for outstanding service, significant contributions to gemology, and living out the ideals of AGS in their community.
At Conclave, AGS also announced plans for Conclave 2024; it will be held in Austin, Texas, from April 15-17.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
