The Robert M. Shipley Award®:
Robert M. Shipley Award®
Original Resolution – April 1967
Whereas, Robert M. Shipley, Founder of the American Gem Society and the father of organized gemological research and education in the United States, has made most significant contributions toward the honorable, dignified, and professional conduct of the jewelry industry, and Whereas, the American Gem Society desires to honor Robert M. Shipley, in perpetuity, for his inspiring influence and accomplishments, by recognizing, in his name, outstanding contributions toward the same ideals by other members of the American Gem Society, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the American Gem Society does hereby establish the Robert M. Shipley Award, to be conferred annually upon a member of the Society for outstanding service to the Society, for significant contribution to the science of gemology, or for exemplifying the high purposes, objectives, and ideals of the Society in the member’s own community.
Historical Note from April 1967: In the early 1930’s, one man traveled thousands of miles over the continental United States to bring the message of gemology and ethics to forwardlooking jewelers of every size, in every community. Today, Robert M. Shipley is widely recognized as the “Father of the Gemological Movement” and has received many honors as the founder of both the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America. Now, in his name leading members of the AGS are being recognized for their roles in the field of gemology, the jewelry industry, and in the annals of the Society. By creation of “The Robert M. Shipley Award” in 1967, the Directors of the American Gem Society seek to honor our Founder in perpetuity while annually honoring on outstanding member a year with a specially engraved plaque – “The Robert M. Shipley Award®” – presented at the annual Conclave.
Standards for the Robert M. Shipley Award® Committee
1. The form and substance of the Award shall be determined by the International Board of Directors of the American Gem Society.
2. Any individual (current or former member) of the American Gem Society shall be eligible to receive the award.
3. The Robert M. Shipley Award® Committee shall consist of five (5) voting members. They will consist of the most recent and available past recipients. The voting members must be active in their firm and they must be American Gem Society members. The Executive Director of the Society shall be a non-voting member. All past recipients shall be invited to participate in committee discussions.
Robert M. Shipley Award® Winners
1968 Carleton G. Broer, Sr. *
1969 James G. Donavan, Jr. *
1970 Alfred L. Woodill
1971 Stanley E. Church *
1971 Edward B. Tiffany *
1972 Robert Limon *
1973 George Sloan, Sr. *
1974 William S. Preston, Jr. *
1975 Lester W. Moon *
1976 R.T. Liddicoat, Jr. *
1977 Leo L. Kaplan *
1978 Howard J. Henkes
1979 Robert W. Swanson
1980 Arthur F. Gleim
1981 William A. Argo
1982 Sallie Morton
1983 Robert Crowningshield*
1983 Bert Krashes
1984 Philip Minsky
1985 Norman L. Sharfman*
1986 Irving Michaels, Jr. *
1986 Richard W. Michaels
1987 Cos Altobelli
1988 Robert E. Spratford *
1989 Herbert Underwood *
1990 Arnold H. Bockstrock
1991 Eric M. Freedman
1992 Frank Maier
1993 Bill G. Underwood
1994 Dr. Edward Gübelin *
1995 John A. Michaels
1996 John I. Koivula
1997 George R. Kaplan
1998 Orley Solomon
1999 Georgie Gleim
2000 Frank Bromberg, Jr.
2001 Christopher L. Bramlett
2002 Robert Speisman *
2003 Herb M. Bridge
2004 Clayton Bromberg
2005 Peter Yantzer
2006 Mark P. Moeller
2007 John Nash
2008 Glenn and Susan Rothman
*Deceased
