The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) will give its 2025 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology to Brendan M. Laurs, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Gemmology.
Based in San Diego, Laurs has been internationally recognized for his work on the formation of colored gemstone deposits. He has a B.S. in geology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and an M.S. in geology from Oregon State University, where his graduate study focused on pegmatite-related gem deposits in northern Pakistan, including emeralds and tourmalines.
From 1997 to 2012, Laurs served as editor of GIA’s quarterly publication Gems & Gemology. He has been editor-in-chief of The Journal of Gemmology, published by the Gemmological Association of Great Britian (Gem-A), since 2013. He’s also helped organized the annual Gem-A Conference in London.
Laurs once served briefly as a geologist for Kennecott Exploration Co., working with rare gemstones such as benitoite and red beryl.
AGA will present the Bonanno Award to Laurs at its annual dinner in Tucson on Feb. 4, 2026. The event will follow AGA’s all-day gemological conference, where Laurs will be a featured presenter.
(Photo: Robert Weldon/courtesy of the Accredited Gemologists Association)
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