Roman receives AGS Lifetime Achievement award

The American Gem Society honored Michael D. Roman for his lifelong dedication, commitment, and service to the jewelry and gem industries on Monday by presenting him with the AGS award for Lifetime Achievement.

Roman was honored during the AGS Circle of Distinction awards dinner held at New York’s Rainbow Room. Four other industry members were honored with AGS Triple Zero awards.

Roman was honored for longtime service in leadership positions on boards of several trade associations. He is best known as the executive director of Jewelers of America from 1976 to 1996, where he is credited with turning the organization into one of the largest trade associations in the jewelry industry. During his time with JA, Roman also served as a member of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee Executive Committee and Board of Directors. After retiring from JA, he briefly served as JVC interim executive director.

Roman also served on the executive committee of the International Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, Diamonds and Stones (CIBJO). He is a member of the De Beers carat Club and currently serves on the JA Board. In addition, Roman was a founding member of the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children. He began his career in the industry performing sales and marketing duties with the Gruen and Bulova watch companies.

“I shall treasure this award and the meaning of this evening,” Roman told the audience. “I wish you all good luck and a great selling year.”

The Triple Zero Award winners represent the breadth of the jewelry and gem industries. Those honored were, Bill Boyajian, president of the Gemological Institute of America, Ralph Destino, chairman emeritus of Cartier, Inc., colored stone expert Richard Krementz, and Harold Tivol, chairman of the board of Tivol Jewelers.

Earlier in the evening, dinner participants honored GIA chairman Richard T. Liddicoat, who died on Jul 23 following a battle with cancer, with a moment of silence and with personal reflections from Boyajian.

“He was a man that you wanted to be around. You knew that when you were in his presence, you were in the presence of greatness,” Boyajian said. “He loved AGS. He loved GIA. And he loved the relationship between them.”

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