GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and AGS (American Gem Society) have awarded the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship – named in honor of Mrs. Shipley for her many contributions to both organizations – to fifth-generation jeweller Madelaine Genna from central Florida.
The scholarship provides tuition for Genna to complete the GIA Graduate Gemologist program on-campus, the AGS Way Course and to attend the 2020 AGS Conclave in Denver, CO.
AGS and GIA jointly established the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship, which was announced by Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO, at the 2019 AGS Conclave in Seattle, Washington.
“It is an honor to help the next generation of industry leaders prepare for their careers with education from GIA and AGS,” said Jacques. “Madelaine Genna grew up in our industry; it is wonderful to see her passion propel her into a successful career. We are so proud that she is the first to receive the Beatrice Shipley Scholarship.”
“We would like to express our gratitude to GIA for helping our members achieve their goals,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS. “I was so inspired by the applications we received from our wonderful members. I’d also like to thank John Carter, President of the AGS Board of Directors, who brought this brilliant idea to AGS and GIA.”
Genna grew up behind the counter of her parents’ jewelry store in Florida, where she developed a love for gems and jewellery at a young age. After graduating from college with a degree in advertising and public relations, she worked for a number of jewellery designers. Today, Genna remains involved in the family business and says that once she completes her studies at AGS and GIA, she has a vision to grow and expand the family jewellery business. Already, Genna is an AGS certified sales associate and has her GIA Diamond Essentials certificate.
“I feel so fortunate to be the recipient of a scholarship in honour of Beatrice Shipley. She was a woman in business when there were few, and a driving force in the formation of GIA and AGS. I have the utmost respect for these organizations, as my family’s affiliation with them has truly allowed their business to flourish. Beatrice is someone I greatly admire as she represents all the amazing things that a woman can be and I’m so proud to be associated with her in this way,” said Genna.
Both GIA and AGS were founded in the 1930s when Robert and Beatrice Shipley cashed in their savings to create two organizations with the goal of educating jewellers, professionalizing the industry and creating a guild for these jewellers to join.
About AGS
The American Gem Society, founded in 1934, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting a high standard of ethics, continuous education, and consumer protection within the jewellery industry. The American Gem Society awards credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than one in twenty jewellers in the country have chosen to meet the exacting standards necessary for membership.
About GIA
An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight and, in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which is recognized around the world.
