Peter Yantzer, executive director of the AGS Laboratory, was awarded the Robert M. Shipley Award, the American Gem Society’s top honor, given annually to a member in recognition of outstanding service, advancement of the Society’s ideals, or furtherance of the understanding and knowledge of gemology. The award was presented during the Society’s annual Robert M. Shipley Luncheon, held April 16 at the Renaissance Hollywood hotel, during AGS Conclave.

Yantzer graduated from GIA in 1972 and went to work for GIA in New York shortly thereafter. He moved back to California to become executive director of GIA’s lab there in 1976 and stayed until 1981, during which time its lab grew fivefold. From 1981 to 1996, he left the jewelry industry entirely, pursuing a career as a heating and air conditioning contractor, but he returned to the industry in 1996 as the executive director of the fledgling AGS Lab.

Under his leadership the AGS Laboratory developed both its first and its revised diamond cut grading report.

JCK