AGS Names 2018 Circle of Distinction Honorees

Las Vegas--The American Gem Society has announced the three honorees who will receive its 2018 Circle of Distinction jewelry awards.

The AGS’s annual Circle of Distinction dinner is slated for Tuesday, July 17, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the industry throughout his career.

He joined the De Beers consumer marketing division in London in 1985 as market controller for the U.S. and Canada.

He was named CEO of Forevermark in 2009. Since taking on the role, Lussier has grown Forevermark into a truly global brand present in 38 markets and with a retail footprint of 2,250 stores across five continents.

David A. Bouffard, vice president, corporate affairs at Signet Jewelers, and Terry Chandler, president and CEO of the Diamond Council of America, both will receive the distinctive AGS Triple Zero Award for their accomplishments and dedication to the fine jewelry industry.

Bouffard began his career with Signet Jewelers Ltd. in field operations in 1981, followed by management roles in merchandising, marketing and public relations.

He was named to his current position in 2012. He is responsible for developing and implementing Signet’s corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, managing its international government, civil society and industry relationships, as well as its corporate communications planning and corporate giving initiatives.

He also has held the role of Signet spokesperson since 2004.

Terry Chandler stepped into role of president and CEO of the DCA full-time in February 2001. After doing so, he worked with various industry resources to update the DCA’s diamond and colored gemstone courses.

He also led a two-year project to gain re-accreditation from the prestigious Distance Education and Training Commission in Washington, D.C., which it granted in January 2005.

“The Circle of Distinction is a celebration of excellence in our industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “This very special event is an opportunity for our industry leaders to come together to observe the outstanding contributions of the exceptional individuals being honored.”

The Circle of Distinction jewelry awards event will start at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a three-course dinner and the awards at 7:30 p.m.

To order dinner tickets or to learn about advertising and sponsorship opportunities, email the AGS at circleofdistinction@ags.org or call 866-805-6500 ext. 1011 or ext. 1005.