Former American Gem Society President Cathy Calhoun (pictured) won the AGS Robert M. Shipley Award, its highest honor, at AGS’ annual Conclave in Los Angeles on April 7.
Calhoun, the owner of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, Pa., seemed genuinely taken aback and moved by the honor, presented to her by former Shipley winner Clayton Bromberg.
“I can’t believe I have nothing to say,” she said. “It’s hard for me to even comprehend this.”
In his remarks, Bromberg recalled that Calhoun started in the industry when she temporarily took over a friend’s store while that friend was in the hospital. She saw all the diamonds were different prices and changed the tags. That didn’t help the jeweler’s medical condition, Bromberg said.
But when she started getting involved in the AGS, everyone could see her “passion and enthusiasm,” he added.
In addition to her work for AGS, Calhoun has served on the boards of the Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Jewelers for Children, Diamond Empowerment Fund, and Jewelers of America.
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine@americangemsociety the queen wins the Shipley award! #AGSConclave pic.twitter.com/WRkaQKutOx
— John Carter (@JLcarter74) April 7, 2017
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