The Accredited Gemologists Association will honor gemologist Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch and Alice Keller, editor-in-chief emeritus of Gems & Gemology, at the AGA Tucson Conference on Feb. 6.

Fritsch, who will receive the Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology, is in charge of the gemological education programs at the University of Nantes, where he has been a professor since 1995. “Dr. Fritsch’s many contributions to gemology are too numerous to recall in total here. However, the DUG diploma course to which he is strongly connected is regarded as a standard for laboratory gemologists,” said Stuart Robertson, AGA Board of Governors’ member, in a statement.

Keller, who will receive AGA’s lifetime achievement award, has served as editor-in-chief emeritus of Gems & Gemology from 2002 to 2011, developing G&G as a full-color, peer-reviewed professional journal. “Ms. Keller’s contributions cannot be overstated. During her time as editor-in-chief the gemological community witnessed in G&G, an already good product, transform into a peer-reviewed, scientific, premier gemological journal,” Robertson said in a statement.

Fritsch and Keller will be recognized at AGA’s gala dinner dance held at the conclusion of its Tucson Conference, on Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m.–11 p.m., at the Marriott University Park Hotel.

JCK