GJ Town India

  AGTA Members Approved the Bylaws Amendments   The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced the results of its annual AGTA Board of Directors Election and AGTA Bylaws Amendments. There were eight Directors elected to the Board. The following AGTA Firm Members were elected to serve a (3) three-year term on the Board of Directors: Ann Barker, Barker & Company; John Bradshaw, John J. Bradshaw; Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite; Malinda Daniel, Tim Roark, Inc.; Ravi Jajoo, United Color Gems, Inc.; Oren Nhaissi, EMCO Gem, Inc.    The following AGTA Firm Members were elected to serve a (2) two-year term on the Board of Directors: Jaimeen Shah, Prima Gems USA, LLC, and Bryan Lichtenstein, 3090 Gems. The Directors-elect will take office in February 2026.    The following Members will continue with their positions on the Board, Dudley Blauwet, Dudley Blauwet Gems; Matthew Hopkins, Hopkins Opal; Cynthia Renee Marcusson, Cynthia Renee, Inc; Eshvar Kotahwal...

  Represent concern with policymakers on the import issue   Recently, American Gem Trade Association [AGTA] said, as noted in our recent communication regarding President Trump’s September 5th Executive Order, AGTA President Bruce Bridges and CEO John W. Ford Sr. travelled to Washington, D.C. for the entirety of the week of September 15th to engage directly with policymakers on the import tariff issue. During the visit, we held meetings with Cabinet agencies, U.S. Senators, and House members.    As a reminder, the Executive Order provides for the possibility of a zero reciprocal tariff rate on products that “cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States.” Importantly, Annex III of the Order—the section that establishes Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners (PTAAP)—specifically includes our gemstones within designated tariff lines. Bruce Bridges, President-AGTA said, our delegation conducted in-depth meetings with the Assistant...

World’s Largest Cut Tanzanite Bleu!   It was an exciting day at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals, Hillsboro, Oregon, when artist Naomi Sarna’s 703-carat L’Heure Bleu tanzanite carving set a Guinness World Records title as the world’s largest cut tanzanite.   A standing room only crowd witnessed the weigh in, as Guinness World Records adjudicator, Michael Empric, verified and announced the results. Gemstone experts, Jessie English, J.S. English Appraisals and Madeline Saunders, Oregon Estate Jewelry, were the official witnesses for the weighing. Rice Museum board president Gail Spann and museum director, Kim Vagner were also on hand for this historic event.   “As the Director of the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals board, and long-time supporter of this wonderful gem, in Hillsboro, I couldn’t have been more delighted that we hosted Naomi Sarna on her adventure with  Guinness World Records that was enjoyed by many attendees!  We are lucky...