Michael Richards Receives 2026 Robert M. Shipley Award®

(ORLANDO, FL) – R. Michael Richards, CG, President of Underwood’s Jewelers, has been awarded the Robert M. Shipley Award^®, the most distinguished accolade from the American Gem Society. Mr. Richards received this honor at the annual Robert M. Shipley Award^® Luncheon at the AGS Conclave at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.

“You personify what it means to be AGS,” said John Carter, CGA, President of Jack Lewis Jewelers. Carter, the 2024 Shipley Award recipient and a past President of the AGS International Board of Directors, presented this year’s award to Mr. Richards. “So many times over the last 15 years, when I needed to know the right and ethical thing to do, I would call you.”

Mr. Richards has dedicated his entire career to the fine jewelry industry and to the values of the American Gem Society. Remarkably, he has held only three jobs since beginning work at age 15, and all three were with American Gem Society member jewelry stores. He graduated from Marshall University with a degree in business management and joined Underwood’s as a store manager in 1990. During that time, he also earned his Graduate Gemologist^® degree through the Gemological Institute of America. Through decades of leadership, education and unwavering commitment to ethics and professionalism, Mr. Richards became President of Underwood’s in 2024.

Mr. Richards joined the AGS International Board of Directors in 2009 and served on numerous committees, including chairing both the Education Committee and the Gemological Sciences Committee. He currently serves as Chair of the Society’s Grievance & Review Subcommittee.

From 2020 to 2022, he served as President of the American Gem Society during one of the most transformative periods in the organization’s history. During his presidency, Mr. Richards helped strengthen the relationship between AGS and GIA, played an instrumental role in transitioning AGS Laboratories’ intellectual property and related assets to GIA, and helped position the Society for a stronger, more focused future.

Today, he continues to shape the jewelry industry through service on several influential boards, including as Vice President of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Widely respected for his integrity, strategic vision and steadfast dedication to independent jewelers, he is recognized as a leader with broad influence across the profession.

“Michael led the Society through a period of real change and never lost sight of why we exist,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS. “He believes wholeheartedly in our mission and has devoted his life and career to upholding its values of ethics, education, professionalism and consumer protection.”

Beyond the jewelry industry, Mr. Richards has been deeply committed to his local community, having served on both a local theater board and a Catholic school board. His wife, Denise, whom he met at Underwood’s, supports him and shares his lifelong passion for the industry and AGS’s mission. Together, they have passed down those same ethics, values and commitment to integrity to their son, Evan.

The Robert M. Shipley Award^® is given annually to a member of the American Gem Society for outstanding service to the Society, for significant contribution to the science of gemology, and for exemplifying the high purposes, objectives, and ideals of the Society in the member’s community.

The American Gem Society thanks GIA for sponsoring the Robert M. Shipley Award^® Luncheon and for serving as the Education sponsor at AGS. Additionally, AGS would like to acknowledge the presenting sponsor of Conclave, Jewelers Mutual^® Group. For more information regarding the American Gem Society and Conclave, please visit AmericanGemSociety.org.

About the American Gem Society’s Conclave 

The American Gem Society’s International Conclave is one of the premier educational and networking events in the jewelry industry. The Society’s members congregate annually to further their gemological education and meet with their colleagues. Conclave features leading national speakers and industry experts, covering topics ranging from gemological training to sales, leadership, and marketing. Jewelers Mutual^® Group is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 Conclave. GIA is the Education Sponsor of Conclave. These sponsorships demonstrate both organizations’ commitment to ensuring the ongoing excellence of Conclave for the AGS membership.

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