This extended exam window is designed to give you flexibility. Please plan accordingly, as deadline extensions will not be offered.
Welcome to the 2026 Recertification Resources! Congratulations on your decision to renew your commitment to professionalism. You’ll find everything you need to complete your exam on this page.
The exam is based on the Article Booklet, authored by leading experts from inside and outside the jewelry industry, including content from SPECTRA® magazine and relevant industry updates.
The recertification is an open-book exam with no time limit. A passing score is 75% or higher. The exam is assigned to your individual AGS Member Profile. Please use the login details from your recertification communications, or click here to reset your login information.
Can’t log in or have a question? Check the FAQs section below or email us at [email protected].
Please enjoy this special message from Kevin Mays, CGA, JEA, Chair of the American Gem Society’s Education Committee.
Download the Recertification Article Booklet and Exam Questionnaire below. All credentials and designations share the same documents.
Each article is marked with a credential or designation logo at the top—that tells you whether it’s required reading for your exam. The questionnaire will indicate where to stop based on your credential or designation.
The following applies to AGS credentialed professionals who are employed by an AGS Member Business. Credentialed Affiliates must abide by the credential use rules outlined in the AGS Membership Policies.
Once you have passed your recertification exam, share this significant achievement with your clients and community! You’re demonstrating your expertise, setting your business apart, and leveraging your AGS membership to attract and retain clients—and ultimately increase sales.
Here are five ways you can promote your designation or credential:
1 – Display it. Frame your 2026 Certificate of Achievement and place it somewhere visible, like a high-traffic area in your business. When clients notice it, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to explain what it represents and why it matters to them.
2 – Don’t forget your designation or credential logo. Download your logo here. If you are employed by an AGS Member Business you can add it to your website, email signature, business cards, letterhead, and social media—anywhere you know clients and colleagues will see it!
3 – Download your Digital Badge. Once you’ve completed the exam, you’ll receive an email from us indicating that your 2026 recertification digital badge is available for download. A digital badge is a graphical icon that indicates your credentials, designations, and accomplishments, and is displayed, accessed, and verified online. Go to ags.org/digitalbadging to learn more!
4 – Submit a notification to your local publication. Click here to download and personalize the “AGS Recertification Completion Press Release” to send to local press and share with your clients.
Some of these publications provide an online submission form for readers to submit short notices sharing news of promotions, credentials, and other related updates. Here’s a sample template you can use for these purposes. Just copy, paste, and fill in the fields where indicated by brackets:
Sample notice:
[Your Name] with [Your Business] in [City] has been [fill in certified OR recertified] as a member of the American Gem Society (AGS) and has retained the credential of [fill in credential or designation].
Successful completion of an annual recertification exam is required to maintain membership in the Society, a trade organization founded in 1934 and dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The exam completed by [Your Name] covered questions relevant to gemology, the jewelry industry, and ethics, and was designed to ensure that its members have the most current information needed to provide clients with accurate and knowledgeable service.
To learn more, visit americangemsociety.org.
5 – Share your achievement on social media. We’ve seen members promote their credentials in creative ways. Snap a photo of your printed certificate and ask your audience: “Do you know why this piece of paper is so important?” If you’re included in the Recertification Honor Roll, let everyone know!
How have you promoted your credentials or designations? Join our members-only Facebook group and share your ideas. If you need assistance with the downloads or templates, contact Marketing at [email protected].
Credentialed members who pass the recertification exam with a perfect score on their first attempt earn a place on the Recertification Exam Honor Roll.
Honor Roll members receive:
Tsvika Abrahams, CSA
Padis Jewelry
Shelly Albrecht, RJ
Helzberg
Elizabeth Allen, CSA, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Marc Altman, ACGA
B & E Jewelers
Gretchen Anderson, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Richard Beckett, RJ
Skeie’s Jewelers
Lynn Beiriger, RJ
Helzberg #178
Matthew Bell, RJ
Helzberg #603
Elizabeth Berg, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Alexandrea Betro, RJ
Jim Kryshak Jewelers Inc.
Vinder Bhandal, RJ
Helzberg #349
Carolyn Biacan, RJ
Helzberg #639
Leslie Bierman, CSA
Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Richard Bitzan, CG
D.J. Bitzan Jewelers
Phillip Bosen, CGA
AGS Credentialed Affiliate
John Bowen Jr., CG
Sierra West Jewelers
Karen Bursaw, RJ
Swanson Jewelers, Inc.
Paula Butler, RJ
Helzberg #333
Cathy Calhoun, CGA
Calhoun Jewelers
Carl Carstens, CG
C. A. Schnack Jewelry Co.
John Carter, CGA
Jack Lewis Jewelers
Todd Chandler, RJ
Helzberg
Katy Church, RJ
Ben Bridge Jeweler #013
Terri Cinque, CGA
Lux Bond & Green
Mitchell Clark, CG, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Matthew Collins, CSA
Underwood Jewelers
Whitney Congress, RJ
Congress Jewelers, LLC
Hannah Corbett, CSA
Jewelers Mutual Group
Isabelle Corvin, CG
Panowicz Jewelers
Patrick Costello, CG
Kirkland Jewelry
Tiffany Cramer, RJ
Helzberg #333
Nancy Crichlow, CGA
Ben Bridge Jeweler #069
Michelle Cummings, RJ
Helzberg
Lenka Curtin, CSA
Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Alice Dake, CSA
Calhoun Jewelers
Breanne Demers, CGA
Gunderson’s Jewelers
Susan DeVore, CG
Royal Hummingbird Studio
Volha Dupuis, RJ
Worthmore Jewelers, Inc.
Carrie Ehlers, RJ, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
William Elliott, CGA
Ross Elliott Jewelers
Mary Elzey, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
John Epps, RJ
Starnes Bramlett Jewelers
Paige Estefan, CSA
Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Jan Fergerson, CGA
Ford, Gittings and Kane Jewelers
David Fineblit, RJ
Pearson’s, Inc.
Megin Flitter, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Miranda Forsythe, CSA
Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Samantha Gage, CSA
Helzberg
Paul Gallo, RS
Jules Estate Buyers
Julia Garton, CGA
Underwoods Fine Jewelers
Eddie Garza, RJ
Helzberg #236
Nisha Goel, CG
Brown & Company Jewelers
Ben Gordon, CGA
Credentialed Affiliate
Susan Grace, RJ
Gruno’s Diamonds
Scott Granger, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Brian Gunderson, CGA
JB Hudson Jewelers
Mustafa Hameed, RJ
Helzberg #052
Martin Harmon, CG
GIA
Melissa Harmon, CSA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Joel Hassler, ACGA
Von Hasle Jewelers
Kimberley Hatchell, CG
Galloway & Moseley Jewelers, Inc.
Tyler Hauch, CSA
Jewelers Mutual Group
Daniel Hayes, RJ, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Randall Heim, RJ
Golden Renaissance Jewelers
Melani Heisler, CSA
Lewis Jewelers
Abbie Hinds-Aldrich, CG
Brown Goldsmiths & Co., Inc.
Greta Holmes, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Matthew Howard, RJ
N. Fox Jewelers
Shawna Hunt, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Sarah Hurwitz Robey, CG
Colonial Jewelers
Joshua Israileff, RS
ASBA USA, Inc.
Andrea Iten, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Donald Janson, RJ
Walters & Hogsett Jewelers
Joanne Jeuch, CSA
Hamilton Jewelers
Mary Louise Jones, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Trisha Kennedy-Thompson, CG
Kennedy’s Custom Jewelers
Sara Kirsch, RJ
Skeie’s Jewelers
Donald Kolick, CG
Kolick’s Jewelers, Inc.
Isaiah Korver, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Marla Kruth, CSA
Henne Jewelers, Inc.
Heather Kuehl, CSA
Armel Jewelers
Melissa Lancaster, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Lana Langhauser, RJ
Ben Bridge Jeweler #013
Daniel Linihan, CSA
Worthmore Jewelers, Inc.
Destinee Long, CG
Skeie’s Jewelers
Gary Long, RJ
Gary J. Long Jewelers
Emily Longnecker, CSA
Wimmer’s Diamonds
Marshall Loupus, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Mitch Maggart, RJ
Helzberg
Glenn Markman, CG
Facets of Fire
Karol Marshman, CGA, JEA
Crown Jewels of Havasu
Kevin Mays, CGA, JEA
John Mays Jewelers
Susan McClain, RJ
TQ Diamonds
Rochelle McGrory, CGA
Continental Jewelers, Inc.
John McHugh, CSA
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
Mark Melancon, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Bryce Melius, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Brooke Melius, CSA
Exclusively Diamonds
James Messier, CG
Arthur’s Jewelry, Inc.
Amber Michalkiewicz, CSA
Jewelers Mutual Group
Paul Miller, CSA, JEA
Olufson Designs
Thomas Morris, CSA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Marina Morton, CSA
MJ Christensen Diamonds
Julie Moten, CSA
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
Julie Muer, CSA
Naifeh Fine Jewelry of Sun Valley
Shannon Neal, CSA
Bromberg & Company, Inc.
Thomas Newcomer, CGA
R. Bruce Carson, Ltd.
Anita Nickels, RJ, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Cara Nygren, CGA
AGS Credentialed Affiliate
Victoria O’Brien, CSA
Jewelers Mutual Group
Anne O’Brien, CG
Kern Jewelers
Lidia Odaguchi, CG
Corona Jewellery
Kelley Ostdiek, RJ
Helzberg #189
Thomas Ozment, RJ
Fincher & Ozment, Inc
Alexis Padis, CGA, JEA
Padis Jewelry
Leslie Panowicz, RJ
Panowicz Jewelers
Pratibha Patel, CSA, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Cristalle Pelfrey, CG
B.C. Clark, Inc.
Tara Pellett, CGA
R.F. Moeller Jeweler
Jerrad Petrik, RJ
R.F. Moeller Jeweler
Leonard Polivy, RS
Leonard R. Polivy & Sons, Inc.
Elizabeth Polk, CG
GIA
Yosef Poplack, RS
Gem Wave, Inc
Taryn Quigley, RJ
TQ Diamonds
Amber Rank, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
James Richardson, RJ
Helzberg #211
James Rieth, RJ
Duvarney Jewelers
Anna Rivers, CSA
Exclusively Diamonds
Kelli Roberts, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Janice Robinson, CG
Forsythe Jewelers, Inc.
Joseph Rodman, RJ
Helzberg #037
Charles Root, CG
Form To Feeling
Gloria Royce, CSA
Marks Jewelers
Paul Rudnick, RJ
Rudnick Jewelers
Tim Ryan, RJ
GIA
Peter Sanson, CG
Walters & Hogsett Jewelers
Tom Schmitt, CGA
Schmitt Jewelers
Patricia Schrag, CG
Patti Schrag Fine Jewelry & Appraisal Services LLC
Brian Schubot, CGA
Hamilton Jewelers
Steve Selfridge, RJ, JEA
B.C. Clark, Inc.
James Shick, CG
Kern Jewelers
Justin Shiver, RJ
Underwood Jewelers
Jeremiah Sickles, RJ
Helzberg #085
Seth Sinding, RJ
Helzberg #052
Cynthia Sobieski, RJ, JEA
Ben Bridge Jeweler
Tyler Staton, RJ
Lautares Jewelers
Megan Stelly, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Wendy Stevens, CSA
Grandis Jewellers
Caroline Stevey, RJ
Jewelry Design Center
Michael Struk, CG
M.S. Jewelers
Jonathan Suna, CG
Suna Bros., Inc.
Jessica Sutherland, CGA
Continental Diamond
Kaitlyn Sutton, CSA, JEA
Jack Lewis Jewelers
David Swanson, CGA
Swanson Jewelers, Inc.
Johnny Tate, RJ
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry
Matthew Tatro, RJ
Orin Jewelers, Inc.
Joy Thollot, CG
Thollot & Co
Jerome Thomas, CG
Ford, Gittings and Kane Jewelers
Patricia Thompson, ACGA
Way-Fil Jewelry
Bradford Tranfield, CGA
Robertson Jewelers
Matthew Treich, RJ
Ben Bridge Jeweler #009
Katherine Trunnell, CG
GIA
Jessica Verhagen, CSA
Jewelers Mutual Group
Kurt Viehbeck, CG
Goldsmith Jewelers, Inc.
Kirstin Viland, RJ
Wimmer’s Diamonds
Jenny Waraksa, RJ, JEA
Jim Kryshak Jewelers Inc.
Taylor Watson, CGA
Fischer Evans Jewelers, Inc.
Jennifer Wendland, CSA, JEA
Exclusively Diamonds
Olivia Whitby, CG
Croghan’s Jewel Box
Katie Woodward, RJ
Jim Kryshak Jewelers Inc.
Jordan Wright, CG
Ben Bridge Jeweler #013
Ali Ziegler-Khan, RJ, JEA
Argo & Lehne Jewelers
Prefer paper? You can purchase a printed exam packet for $25 and submit your completed exam by mail. We recommend completing the exam online, as it’s easier and less expensive, but the printed option is available if you need it.
Your mailed packet will include:
We’ll ship your packet via USPS within seven business days of receiving payment. Your completed Mail Submission Form must reach the AGS offices by September 22, 2026. Mail early—late submissions may affect your credential status.
Click below to order your printed packet.
AGS will notify you by email and mail using the contact information we have on file. We’ll continue to communicate with you throughout the recertification period. If you haven’t received a notification by June 30, 2026, please contact us.
Download the articles as a PDF by clicking here.
The exam is in AGS PRO. Click here to log in and look for the recertification exam under “My Enrollments” in the top menu of your dashboard. Once started, it will move to “My Courses.”
Need a walkthrough? Watch this short video tutorial.
You may be logged into your business’s account instead of your individual account. Use the login details from your recertification communications, or click here to reset your login information.
Did you recently earn your credential or designation? Credentials and designations earned on or after December 1, 2025, are not required for the 2026 recertification. Instead, your first exam will be in 2027. If you still don’t see the exam, contact us.
We’ve got you covered. Watch the video tutorial here.
Credentialed Employees are billed, through the member business, an annual recertification fee when the recertification period opens.
Credentialed Affiliates are also billed when the recertification period opens. Invoices are sent to the address and email on file.
If payment is not received within the 62-day grace period, your credential or designation may be canceled.
The exam window was designed to give you as much flexibility as possible, but there is no late fee option. The deadline is September 22, 2026.
If you cannot complete the exam in time, your credential or designation may be canceled. For Credentialed Employees, this may also affect the member business’s membership status. For Credentialed Affiliates, it may affect individual membership.
If you have an emergency or medical reason that prevents you from completing the exam, please contact us by August 11, 2026, to discuss an alternate timeline.
Credentials and designations can be reinstated as outlined in the AGS Credentialing Policies under “Reinstatement.” Please note that reinstatement may require additional education, including the AGS Way Course, as well as any outstanding recertification exams and additional fees. When a Retail Business member loses its last Credentialed Employee at a particular location, the business has two years for another employee to become credentialed. Failure to meet that requirement may result in loss of membership.
You will need to reinstate your credential or designation as outlined in the AGS Credentialing Policies under “Reinstatement.” This may require additional education, including the AGS Way Course, as well as any outstanding recertification exams and additional fees. Contact us when you’re ready to reinstate.
The recertification exam is open-book, so you can reference the articles provided. If you don’t pass the first time, you may retake it before the deadline. The passing score is 75% or better.
Yes. Recertification is what sets your AGS credential or designation apart as a true professional credential, and it’s a meaningful opportunity for ongoing professional development.
All active AGS credentialed members who earned their credential or designation before December 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
