The American Gem Society is pleased to announce that the Gemological Institute of America is the official Education Sponsor for Conclave 2021. Additionally, GIA will sponsor ten hands-on sessions and the Early Bird Registration. GIA is also graciously returns as the exclusive sponsor for the annual Robert M. Shipley Award® Luncheon at Conclave.
GIA has been an active contributor to Conclave since the first Conclave in 1937. In recent years, GIA has increased their contribution to allow AGS to enhance its educational offerings to members in addition to their lab classes, which are a cornerstone of Conclave. GIA also traditionally sponsors the Robert M. Shipley Award Luncheon, named in honor of Robert M. Shipley, the co-founder of GIA and AGS.
“We are so grateful to GIA for their generosity and support,” said Katherine Bodoh, RJ, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “Because of their sponsorships, dedication of educational resources, and commitment to both AGS members and the industry, our community can look forward to a robust series of classes that will enrich their professional lives.”
“Conclave is one of the most important industry events of the year, and we are so pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with AGS, truly our sister organization,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO. “Education and continued professional development are pillars of our shared consumer protection mission.”
Shipley established GIA in 1931 as an education and research facility dedicated to the study of gems. He founded AGS in 1934 as a professional guild of knowledgeable jewelers. Today, both organizations share a related mission of consumer protection, ethics, and education.
To learn more about AGS and Conclave, visit www.ags.org/Conclave.
About GIA
An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world as the standard for diamond quality. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism. For more information, please visit www.gia.edu.
About the American Gem Society
The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, 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. For more information, please visit www.americangemsociety.org.
