Two longtime industry stalwarts—Dr. James Shigley (pictured, left) and Stephen Lussier—are receiving high honors from industry associations.
On Sept. 13, Shigley, distinguished research fellow of the GIA, won the American Gem Society’s Robert M. Shipley Award, its highest honor, at its annual Conclave in Dallas.
While Shigley was not in attendance to accept his award, prior to the Conclave, the GIA team, along with his family, surprised him with the plaque on the GIA campus.
Shigley has worked at GIA for three decades and has long been the public face of its research department.
In addition, Jewelers of America has announced it will bestow its GEM Award for Lifetime Achievement on De Beers executive Stephen Lussier at next year’s 20th annual GEM Awards.
Lussier (pictured, below) is chairman of De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark; serves as the executive vice president, brands and marketing, for the De Beers Group; and is a member of De Beers Group’s executive committee. He is also the chairman of the Natural Diamond Council and a director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. He joined De Beers in 1985.
The GEM awards are due to take place on Jan. 14, 2022, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Last year’s event was held virtually and honored Jewelers’ Security Alliance president John Kennedy.
On Sept. 12, the AGS gave out three other awards at its morning breakfast keynote.
The John J. Kennedy Award, given to individuals who have been exemplary in their contribution to the safety and security of the entire jewelry industry, was presented to FBI special agent Daniel Gimenz.
As there was no in-person Conclave last year, Marc Altman, chair of the International Guilds Council, gave out the Guild of the Year awards for both 2020 and 2021. The 2020 award went to the New Jersey Guild; the 2021 award went to the Keystone Guild in Pennsylvania.
The AGS presented additional awards at the Titleholders Luncheon on Sept. 14. Sarah Nanasi Russell, chair of the Young Titleholders Committee, gave the 2020 Young Titleholder of the Year award to Alexis Padis, of Padis Jewelry in San Francisco, who serves as vice chair of the Young Titleholders Committee. The 2021 award was given to Dave Bindra, of B & B Fine Gems. Bindra is the Young Titleholders Committee’s event chair.
The Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC) collaborated with the Young Titleholder’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee to award one BIJC member—Natacha Metayer—a grant for Conclave. The grant covered the cost of registration and hotel and provided a $500 stipend from AGS toward travel expenses.
The next AGS Conclave will be held Apr. 25–27, 2022, in Oklahoma City.
(Top photo courtesy of the American Gem Society)
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