Denver—John C. Nash, owner of Nash Jewellers in London, Ontario, Canada, was the 2007 recipient of the American Gem Society’s Robert M. Shipley Award. The presentation was made Saturday at the annual Robert M. Shipley Lunch during the American Gem Society’s annual Conclave. The award honors an individual for service to the society and commitment to the furtherance of gemology and professionalism.

Nash began his career as an educator and author in the field of health and human kinetics before returning to purchase his family’s jewelry store in London. He subsequently expanded the business with a second store, making Nash Jewellers a major jewelry presence in the region. He has been active in the industry for many years and is a strong advocate of education and professionalism, through both the AGS and with the Canadian Jewellers Association.

“I’m honored to sit at this table,” he said, gesturing to the dais where seven previous Shipley Award winners were seated. “My accomplishments are nothing compared to the accomplishments of others at this table. I hope in the next decade or more, I might earn the right to sit at this table.”

Nash’s wife, Margi, and five of their six sons were present to celebrate his award.

The Gemological Institute of America sponsored the Shipley Award lunch, as it does every year in recognition of the man who founded both GIA and AGS. GIA president Donna Baker addressed the audience, citing years of cooperation between the two organizations and promising even greater ties in the future under her tenure as president.

This year’s lunch also included a tribute to G. Robert Crowningshield, a former vice president of GIA and one of the founding leaders of its lab, who died last November at age 87. Tom Moses, senior vice president and current head of the lab, gave a tribute to his longtime friend and mentor.

JCK