The American Gem Society recently honoured the work of six professionals in the world, as having made an exceptional contribution to the gem and jewellery trade. Three sets of awards were to be handed over - the Richard T. Liddicoat™ Journalism Awards, American Gem Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Triple Zero Awards, at the American Gem Society’s Ninth Annual Circle of Distinction Dinner, held July 29 at New York City’s storied Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Plaza.

Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society, presented three journalists- Jennifer Heebner, Carrie Soucy, and Russell Shor with the Richard T. Liddicoat™ Journalism Awards. Industry/Trade Reporting Category was won by: Jennifer Heebner and Carrie Soucy, for “Seal of Disapproval,” JCK Luxury Magazine, while the Trade Journal Category was won by Russell Shor, for his work “From Single Source to Global Free Market: the Transformation of the Cultured Pearl Industry,” in Gems & Gemology.

The event celebrated the sixth anniversary of the Liddicoat Awards, founded by the American Gem Society in memory of Richard T. Liddicoat, “The Father of Modern Gemology” and longtime president of the Gemological Institute of America.

“Tonight, we are celebrating the service of six extraordinary individuals. They each walk different paths in this diverse industry, but every one of them works diligently and ardently to make their own contribution,” said Society President Mark Moeller.

Moeller presented the Society’s Triple Zero Awards, to Circle of Distinction inductees Hugh Glenn and Anna Martin. The award recognises “members of the industry who have demonstrated the highest level of leadership and involvement”.

Patti Geolat, interim president, CEO, and chairman of the board for Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, gave away the American Gem Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Circle of Distinction inductee John J. Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance.

After the high drama of the awards, the event unwound with an element of entertainment with a ballroom dance floor and a classic music in the backdrop- Hank Lane Orchestra and Rainbow Room.