They were honored at the group’s Circle of Distinction Dinner.
LAS VEGAS – The American Gem Society held its annual Circle of Distinction Dinner to honor the outstanding accomplishments of key jewelry industry leaders.
The event, held at New York City’s historic Plaza Hotel, celebrated the careers of three highly regarded industry professionals. Stephen Lussier, CEO, Forevermark, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Terry Chandler, president/CEO, DCA, and David A. Bouffard, vice president, corporate affairs, Signet Jewelers Ltd., were both awarded the distinctive AGS Triple Zero Award.
“I am extraordinarily honored to be recognized by America’s preeminent jewelry industry organization, the AGS,” said Lussier, accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award. “Diamonds form a deep emotional bond with their owners. They are like a vault holding life’s memories for one’s life. De Beers has given me a platform to take this message to generations of Americans and to new consumers all over the world. At De Beers, I have found a company that thinks long-term, is not afraid to take bold action when it is needed, is passionate about doing the right thing, and fundamentally appreciates that at the heart of our industry lies one thing — the consumers’ belief in the diamond dream.”
Chandler was the evening’s first recipient of the AGS Triple Zero Award. “I am honored and humbled to receive this special award from the American Gem Society and to join the ranks of the previous honorees, as well as tonight’s honorees,” Chandler said. “DCA has been a member and supported AGS for nearly two decades because they stand in the doorway to protect and promote the integrity and ethics of our industry.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive the AGS Triple Zero Award,” said Bouffard, the second AGS Triple Zero Award recipient of the evening. “I’m also proud to be part of a company that takes its leadership position in the industry seriously, values integrity, collaborates with its business partners, and actively works towards the continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewelry supply chain to ensure consumer confidence in the products we all sell.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the highest honors an individual may achieve from the American Gem Society. It was instituted to honor those who have made significant contributions to the industry throughout their career.
The AGS Triple Zero Award was named after the highest grade in the AGS Diamond Grading Standards and is presented to members of the jewelry industry for their countless accomplishments and contributions.
The American Gem Society thank its sponsors for their support in making the event both memorable and a success: Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, Signet Jewelers Ltd., Forevermark, JCK, and Wells Fargo. To learn more about the American Gem Society, visit www.americangemsociety.org.
(2nd from right) Stephen Lussier
Terry Chandler
David Bouffard