È scomparso il 10 gennaio di quest’ anno all’età di 77 anni Peter Yantzer, figura chiave nella storia della gemmologia contemporanea. In riconoscimento del suo contributo al settore, l’American Gem Society gli ha dedicato l’edificio degli AGS Laboratories, oggi centro di ricerca e sviluppo del GIA. Durante la cerimonia, che si è svolta sabato 30 maggio 2026 presso la sede centrale dell’AGS a Las Vegas, Katherine Bodoh, RJ, CEO dell’American Gem Society ha dichiarato: “Peter ha lasciato un segno in questo settore che va ben oltre le mura ma volevamo rendergli omaggio in modo significativo”.
Anche Cathy Calhoun, CGA, ex presidente dell’AGS e vincitrice del Robert M. Shipley Award®, e Jason Quick, già direttore esecutivo degli AGS Laboratories e attuale Senior Director of Diamond Cut Research del GIA, hanno ricordato il lascito professionale di Yantzer: “È grazie a lui che i diamanti hanno iniziato a essere tagliati meglio, con proporzioni più precise. Questa è un’eredità che continua a vivere nel lavoro di ricerca svolto in un edificio che adesso porterà il suo nome”.
La serata ha visto anche l’apertura di una capsula del tempo sigillata nel 2001 dal team dell’American Gem Society che conteneva lettere, fotografie e biglietti da visita di dipendenti e soci, oltre a brochure promozionali e un CD con materiali d’archivio.
Tra gli ospiti speciali i vincitori del Robert M. Shipley Award Cos Altobelli, ECGA, Doug Hucker, Al Gilbertson, CG, e Ruth Batson-McCluer, LRJ, già CEO dell’AGS. Ha partecipato anche Cindy Chandler, ex vicedirettrice esecutiva dell’AGS.
Erano inoltre presenti gli ex presidenti Alexis Padis, CGA, JEA; Lisa Bridge, CG; Michael Richards, CG; John Carter, CGA e numerosi membri della community AGS.
American Gem Society Names Its Headquarters Building After Peter Yantzer in Recognition of His Contributions to the Gemological Profession
Peter Yantzer, a key figure in the history of modern gemology, passed away on January 10, 2026, at the age of 77. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry, the American Gem Society (AGS) has dedicated the former AGS Laboratories building to his memory. The facility, now serving as a GIA research and development center, has been officially renamed the Peter Yantzer Building.
The dedication ceremony took place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at AGS headquarters in Las Vegas. During the event, Katherine Bodoh, RJ, CEO of the American Gem Society, stated: “Peter left a mark on this industry that lives well beyond those walls, and we wanted to honor him in a meaningful way.”
Cathy Calhoun, CGA, former AGS President and recipient of the Robert M. Shipley Award®, together with Jason Quick, former Executive Director of AGS Laboratories and current Senior Director of Diamond Cut Research at GIA, also paid tribute to Yantzer’s professional legacy. Reflecting on his impact, they noted: “It is because of Peter that diamonds began to be cut better, with more precise proportions. That legacy continues through the research work conducted in a building that will now bear his name.”
The evening also featured the opening of a time capsule sealed by the American Gem Society team in 2001. The capsule contained letters, photographs, and business cards from staff and members, along with marketing brochures and a CD of archival materials.
Special guests included Robert M. Shipley Award® recipients Cos Altobelli, ECGA; Doug Hucker; Al Gilbertson, CG; and Ruth Batson-McCluer, LRJ, former CEO of AGS. Cindy Chandler, former Executive Deputy Director of AGS, was also in attendance.
Also present were former AGS Presidents Alexis Padis, CGA, JEA; Lisa Bridge, CG; Michael Richards, CG; and John Carter, CGA, as well as numerous members of the AGS community.
https://www.americangemsociety.org
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