August 2006:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONG-TIME BOARD MEMBER OF AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY RETIRES
Ends 15 Years of Distinguished Service
(LAS VEGAS) —The American Gem Society announces the retirement of long-time board member Christopher Bramlett. “Chris Bramlett has served the American Gem Society as a member of the Board of Directors for 15 years. It is with sadness, fond memories, and great respect that we announce his retirement,” said Craig Underwood, president of the American Gem Society Board of Directors.
Bramlett’s position on the American Gem Society Board of Directors and his many contributions to the Society capped a career filled with accomplishments. Born in 1938, Bramlett began his career with a solid education. After graduating from WakeForestUniversity in 1960 with a B.S. in Chemistry, he joined the military where he served in the U.S. Army’s Critical Skills Program. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
Bramlett completed his M.A. and his Ph.D. in chemistry, the former at WakeForest and the latter at the University of Virginia. He began teaching at the University of Alabama in 1967, eventually serving as Associate Dean of the graduate school and Assistant Vice President for Research. In 1977, he moved to EastTennesseeStateUniversity where he served as Vice President and Professor of Chemistry until 1981 when he became a partner in Starnes Incorporated, a North Carolina-based corporation that operated retail jewelry stores. In 1989, Bramlett started his own business, Christopher’s Jewelry Company, a corporation that owned and operated Christopher’s Jewelers in Concord, North Carolina. He served as President and Owner until 2004. In 1989,
Bramlett started his own business, Christopher’s Jewelry Company, a corporation that owned and operated Christopher’s Jewelers in Concord, North Carolina. He served as President and Owner until 2004.
Chris Bramlett has been an asset to not only the American Gem Society, but also to the science of gemology. During his tenure as chairman of the American Gem Society Gemological Sciences Committee he oversaw Fancy Cut Grade research that led to the performance-based AGS Diamond Cut Grading System.He began serving on the Board of Directors for the American Gem Society in 1989 and, over the years, he has served as Chairman of the Education Committee and the Shipley Award Committee. He also held two offices at the state level: President of the North Carolina Guild of the American Gem Society and President of the North Carolina Jewelers Association.
Bramlett has earned a collection of accolades over the years. He became a Registered Jeweler of the American Gem Society® in 1983, a Certified Gemologist® in 1984, and in 1985 he became a Certified Gemologist Appraiser of the American Gem Society®. Additionally, he earned several certificates and a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America. In 2001, Bramlett received one of the most prestigious awards in the jewelry industry, the Robert M. Shipley Award®. This award is given to one person each year who has been of outstanding service to the American Gem Society, given significant contribution to the science of gemology, and who exemplifies the high purpose, objectives, and ideals of the Society in his or her own community.
His professional associations do not end there. Bramlett was a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for Higher Education, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was also a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and served in many other organizations.
Although currently enjoying retirement, Bramlett stays busy by working part-time at Starnes Incorporated and tending to his active appraisal business. He recently was named, for the second time, President of the North Carolina Guild of the American Gem Society, for the second time, and he is busy making preparations for the organization’s annual meeting. Bramlett also is active in his community, currently serving as Chairman of the Albemarle Economic Restructuring Committee and working with his wife, Pat, on the city’s sesquicentennial celebration. He is a Director of Cabarrus Bank and Trust Company and a Trustee Emeritus of Pfeiffer University.
“I used to laugh at older people who said they were busier in retirement than when they worked. I don’t laugh at that any more,” said Bramlett.
“Bramlett’s boundless commitment to the American Gem Society, infinite contributions to the science of gemology, and constant involvement in his community set a fine example for future leaders in this organization and many others. His presence will be sorely missed,” said Ruth Batson, Executive Director and CEO, American Gem Society.
Starnes Jewelers is recognized locally for its diverse selection of fine designers and quality diamonds, as well as for its knowledgeable staff and superior customer service. Starnes Jewelers is located at 127 W. Main St. in Albemarle, NC. For more information about their products or services, please call 704.982.1013 or visit them online at www.starnesjewelers.com.
The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is the international professional organization for all Registered Jewelers (RJ), Certified Gemologists (CG), and Certified Gemologist Appraisers (CGA). Members are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their American Gem Society titles. Less than five percent of jewelers in the country have met the exacting requirements for membership. For more information regarding the American Gem Society, please call 702.255.6500, or visit their website at www.americangemsociety.org.
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