2019 AGA
Diamond Sponsor

Estate Buyers...

AGA Membership

As a professional peer society, we believe in excellence and are dedicated to establishing the highest ethical and professional standards of practice. As a member, you gain peer recognition for active participation in educational programs and industry forums gaining the personal satisfaction of improving your skills while contributing to your profession.

Membership Application...

Continuing Education

We encourage you to enhance your experience and knowledge through taking classes. We recommend that you take ASA, GIA, AGS, ISA and NAJA workshops all through the year to accomplish this.

AGA strives to offer 2 educational conferences per year. One in Tucson during the Gem and Mineral Show at the beginning of each year and one in Las Vegas during JCK mid-year.

Meet the leaders. Enrich your knowledge of gemology and gem trade issues by exchanging information with a diverse range of professionals. We've met with gemstone treaters, crystal growers, enhancement detection specialists, designer gem cutters, the trade press, gem instrument developers, computer technology specialists, domestic and international traders and the FTC.

Certified Gem Lab

AGA Members can achieve certification by fulfilling the highest equipment standards and compliance with the AGA code of ethics. (Print the Gem Lab Certification application.)

AGA Designation Materials for Voting Members

Identify and promote your image as a dedicated, ethical and professional gemologist using the following items.

• Display the AGA logo on all professional materials. 
• Display the AGA Membership Certificate & Code of Ethics in your place of business. 
• Display designation "Member, Accredited Gemologist Association" on all professional materials

Apply for Membership

SAVE THE DATE - February 5, 2020
AGA Tucson Conference and Gala

Where great minds meet!

AGA Research Grant Awarded to Billie Hughes, FGA

Research gemologist, author and award-winning photographer E. Billie Hughes, of Lotus Gemology, has been awarded a $10,000 research grant to help fund a comprehensive research study focusing on ruby and sapphire's chief value determinants—whether or not the stone has been treated and its origin.

"The importance of this study cannot be overstated," said AGA president Stuart Robertson. "Billie's has designed an experiment-intensive project that clearly has the potential to vastly expand the industry's understanding of treatments and origin determinations, especially for corundum from recently discovered sources."

Details of the grant award...

2019 AGA Scholarship in Gemology

Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 AGA Gemology Scholarship. For qualifications, application & deadlines, please visit our scholarship page.

In an unprecedented move, the Accredited Gemologists Association is pleased to announce three categories for the 2019 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology

The 2019 Award Recipients are:

- Donna Hawrelko

- Alberto Scarani & Mikko Åström

- Karl Schmetzer, PhD

More 2019 Bonanno Award information...

Press Release & Photos of Recipients...

An Opportunity to support AGA's Mission - become an AGA Sponsor or Donor

AGA is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards in Gemological Education, Research, and Ethics. Your donation will allow AGA to provide Gemological Education Scholarships, Fund Gemological Research Projects, and expand our Positive Roles in the world of Gemology.

Read more about becoming an AGA sponsor or donor...

Please consider supporting these Donors as they support the mission of AGA.

Steve Wexler, Wexler Insurance Co.
Center for Curiosity, Kushal Sacheti & Galaxy USA Inc.
Art Samuels, EstateBuyers.com
Mark Cullinan, Cullinan Diamonds

About the AGA Gemological Research Grant...

About the AGA Gemology Scholarship Program...

About the Accredited Gemologists Association

Established in 1974 by Antonio "Tony" Bonanno (as alumnae of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain), AGA was envisioned as a network for sharing gemological information and skills. Graduate gemologists of the Gemological Institute of America joined in 1975. The international Accredited Gemologists Association of today proudly counts among our members some of the worlds leading independent gemologists.

The AGA is an independent, international, nonprofit organization dedicated to...

Gemological Education & Research
Identification & Evaluation of Gem Materials
Development of Professional Standards of Analysis, Practice & Ethics

We are an organization of all beliefs and cultures and share a common bond of the love of gemstones. AGA believes in excellence and is dedicated to establishing the highest professional standards of practice.

The AGA Annual Board Meeting will be held in Tucson, the day before the AGA Conference. The AGA Annual Membership Meeting will be held in Tucson, the day of the AGA Conference. Both events are held in the same facility as the AGA Conference.

For more details about our organization, please view the following organizational documents. (.pdf files)

• Code of Ethics
• Bylaws
• Constitution

Voting Membership is available to anyone holding an acceptable credential from the Gemological Institute of America, Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Canadian Gemmological Association, or other school of gemology as approved by the Board of Directors. Non-voting memberships are available to others as either Associates, Students, or Affiliates.

Click here to apply for AGA Membership.

Officers & Board of Governors for 2017-2019

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) slate of officers and board members:

President: Stuart Robertson, GG
Vice President: Teri Brossmer, GG
Secretary: Raymond Mason, GG
Treasurer:Adam Ostrow, GG
Immediate Past President: Donna Hawrelko, FGA, FCGmA

Board of Governors

Breanne Avender, FGA, FCGmA
Heidi Harders, GG
Ted Irwin, GG
Gary Smith, GG
Art Samuels, GG
Patti Schrag, GG

Special Advisor to the AGA Board : Antoinette Matlins, PG, FGA

Committees

Educational Standards and Outside Association Relationship Committee: Donna Hawrelko
Conference Committee: Ted Irwin & Donna Hawrelko, with Antoinette Matlins, Gary Smith, Craig Lynch, Raymond Mason, Art Samuels, Patti Schrag, Melissa Allen
Certified Gemological Laboratory Committee: Carole Richbourg
Membership Committee: Christine York
Bonanno Award Committee: Stuart Robertson with former Bonanno Award Recipients Christopher Smith, Richard Hughes & Shane McClure, Dr. John Emmett
Sponsorship Committee: Teri Brossmer with Art Samuels
Education Scholarship & Research Grants Committee: Heidi Harders with Jane Chaikowsky & Cigdem Lule, PhD