The American Gem Society (AGS) has created the Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award to honor journalists who have made exceptional contributions to the understanding of gemology as well as AGS’s ideals of ethics, education, and consumer protection. The award is named for the recently deceased president of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The award, which will be presented annually at the AGS Conclave, will be given in three categories of journalism: jewelry industry/trade reporting, consumer reporting in national/multiple markets, and consumer reporting in a local/small market. The award will be publicized to the journalism community through media releases; in addition, AGS headquarters and AGS membership will contact journalists regarding their eligibility for the award.

“We are pleased to announce the creation of the prestigious Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award,” says AGS president Bill Farmer. “Journalists now have the opportunity to receive recognition and rewards for their efforts to educate the public regarding gemology and jewelry.”

Liddicoat, who is known as “The Father of Modern Gemology,” received numerous accolades, including the 2001 AGS Circle of Distinction Lifetime Achievement Award, for his significant contributions to the jewelry industry. Liddicoat held various positions including that of president of GIA and delegate to the President’s Conference on Small Business. A prolific author, he wrote for several professional trade journals and was a member of various nonprofit organizations. Among his literary accomplishments, Liddicoat published the first Handbook of Gem Identification, co-authored The Diamond Dictionary, and served for 50 years as editor-in-chief of the GIA flagship publication Gems & Gemology. He was dedicated to informing the trade on industry advancements, news, and developments until his death in July 2002.

For more information call (702) 255-6500 or visit www.ags.org.