The Gemological Institute of America and American Gem Society have awarded the first annual Beatrice Shipley Scholarship to Madelaine Genna, a fifth-generation jeweler from central Florida.
The scholarship will cover Genna’s complete tuition for the GIA Graduate Gemologist on-campus program in Carlsbad, Calif., along with the costs of the AGS Way Course and entry to the 2020 AGS Conclave event in Denver.
AGS and GIA jointly established the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship, which was announced by Susan Jacques, GIA president and chief executive officer, at the 2019 AGS Conclave in Seattle. Both GIA and AGS were founded in the 1930s by Robert and Beatrice Shipley.
Genna—an AGS-certified sales associate who already has her GIA Diamond Essentials and Diamond Grading certificates—grew up in her parent’s jewelry store, Genna Jewelers in Viera, Fla., where her love of gems and jewelry was stoked. In 2013, she earned a degree from the University of Central Florida in advertising and public relations. She currently works as a training and visual merchandising expert at Effy Jewelry in New York City and hopes to one day help expand her family’s business.
“I feel so fortunate to be the recipient of a scholarship in honor of Beatrice Shipley,” Genna said in the same statement. “She was a woman in business when there were few and…is someone I greatly admire, as she represents all the amazing things that a woman can be, and I’m so proud to be associated with her in this way.”
Jacques added, “Madelaine Genna grew up in our industry; it’s wonderful to see her passion propel her into a successful career. We’re so proud that she is the first to receive the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship.”
Top: GIA and AGS cofounder Beatrice Shipley (photo courtesy of GIA)
Follow me on Instagram: @emilivesilind
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
