The American Gem Society held its annual Circle of Distinction Dinner to honor the outstanding accomplishments of key jewelry industry leaders.The distinguished event, held at the historic Plaza Hotel, celebrated the careers of three, highly-regarded industry professionals. Stephen Lussier, Chief Executive Officer, Forevermark, Terry Chandler, President/CEO, DCA, and David A. Bouffard, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Signet Jewelers Ltd.
“I am extraordinarily honored to be recognized by America’s preeminent jewelry industry organization, the AGS,” said Stephen Lussier, accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award. “Diamonds form a deep emotional bond with their owners. They are like a vault holding life’s memories for one’s life. De Beers has given me a platform to take this message to generations of Americans and to new consumers all over the world. At De Beers, I have found a company that thinks long term, is not afraid to take bold action when it is needed, is passionate about doing the right thing, and fundamentally appreciates that at the heart of our industry lies one thing—the consumers’ belief in the diamond dream.”
Terry Chandler was the evening’s first recipient of the AGS Triple Zero® Award. “I am honored and humbled to receive this special award from the American Gem Society and to join the ranks of the previous honorees, as well as tonight’s honorees,” Mr. Chandler said. “DCA has been a member and supported AGS for nearly two decades because they stand in the doorway to protect and promote the integrity and ethics of our industry.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive the AGS Triple Zero Award,” said David A. Bouffard, Signet Vice President, Corporate Affairs, and the second AGS Triple Zero® Award recipient of the evening. “I’m also proud to be part of a company that takes its leadership position in the industry seriously, values integrity, collaborates with its business partners, and actively works towards the continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewelry supply chain to ensure consumer confidence in the products we all sell.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the highest honors an individual may achieve from the American Gem Society—instituted to honor those who have made significant contributions to the industry throughout their career.
The AGS Triple Zero® Award was aptly named after the highest grade in the AGS Diamond Grading Standards and is presented to members of the jewelry industry for their countless accomplishments and contributions.
The American Gem Society would like to thank their sponsors for their generous support in making the event both memorable and a success: Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, Signet Jewelers Ltd., Forevermark, JCK, and Wells Fargo.
About the American Gem Society
The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting a high standard of ethics, continuous education, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is a professional organization awarding credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than one in twenty jewelers in the country have chosen to meet the exacting standards necessary for membership.
To learn more about the American Gem Society, please visit www.americangemsociety.org
