The new year brings with it a special kind of magic—one filled with possibility, reflection, and new opportunities. As we step into the year ahead, I’m grateful for the ways the American Gem Society (AGS) team continues to show up for our members and for the jewelry industry as a whole.
Over the past year, one of our priorities has been to stay closely connected to you—listening, learning, and ensuring that our work reflects the realities of today’s jewelry industry. Through conversations with members, partners, and industry leaders, we gained valuable insights that helped inform how AGS evolves, prioritizes, and delivers value on your behalf.
That input directly shaped one of our most significant initiatives: the modernization of the AGS membership model. Working closely with the AGS International Board of Directors, consultants, and member focus groups, we updated a structure that had not been revisited in decades. The result is a clearer, more transparent, and fairer model—designed to better reflect today’s businesses while remaining grounded in our mission and values.
Education remains central to AGS, and this year we made important investments in practical, accessible learning. We launched the Jewelry Evaluation Advisor® (JEA) course to support foundational skills for jewelry professionals, and we refreshed the Certified Sales Associate (CSA) course with updated content and a new look.
In September, we were also proud to co-host Converge, a one-of-a-kind industry event that delivered meaningful education, strong connections, and a fresh perspective for our community.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome you back to Conclave, returning September 14–17 in Orlando. If there’s no place like home, then Conclave is home for us—and we look forward to sharing more details soon. In the meantime, visit ags.org/conclave for location details, specially priced Walt Disney World theme park tickets, and photos from Conclave 2024.
Thank you for your continued engagement, trust, and commitment to AGS. If you have questions about your membership or the many benefits available to you and your team, I encourage you to connect with our knowledgeable membership team at [email protected].
I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful to be building the future of AGS together.
With appreciation,
Katherine Bodoh, RJ
CEO, American Gem Society