The American Gem Society will host its fifth annual Circle of Distinction Dinner on July 27 at the Rainbow Room in New York City. The event will honor individuals who have demonstrated impeccable service and made a lasting contribution to the jewelry industry. AGS will honor Matthew A. Runci, president and CEO of Jewelers of America as the 2004 AGS Lifetime Achievement Award winner for his contributions and efforts in the industry. AGS will also honor Triple Zero Award winners in two categories, Retail and Industry. Candy and Mark Udell of London Jewelers in Glen Cove, N.Y., are honorees in the retail category, and George Holmes, JCK magazine editorial consultant and former editor-in-chief, is the honoree in the Industry category.

The Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award winners also will be recognized. The RTL awards were developed in remembrance of Richard T. Liddicoat to honor journalists who have made exceptional contributions to the understanding of gemology as well as the AGS ideals of ethics, education, and consumer protection. The RTL Award winners will be honored in the following categories: consumer reporting in national/multiple markets; consumer reporting in a local market; and jewelry industry/trade reporting.