Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) has announced its governing board for the 2026–2029 term, adding Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen and installing Dr. Çiğdem Lüle as president — a leadership change likely to tighten certification practice and influence how U.S. retailers and investors assign value to certified gemstones.
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- Origin: New York (announcement)
- Date: 2026–2029 term; swearing-in Feb. 4, 2026
The board slate pairs newly elected members Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen with re-elected trustees Stuart Robertson, Heidi Harders, Martin Fuller, Alberto Scarani and Immediate Past President Teri Brossmer. The executive team will be led by Dr. Çiğdem Lüle (president), Donna Hawrelko (vice president), Gary Roskin (secretary) and Adam Ostrow (treasurer).
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life to serve as president of this esteemed association,” Brossmer said. “As I pass the torch, I do so with complete confidence in AGA’s future. We are in the most capable hands with Dr. Çiğdem Lüle leading the way—her integrity, vision, and commitment to gemological education and excellence will undoubtedly guide AGA to even greater heights.”
Context: Governance Meets 2025 Market Shifts
AGA’s new leadership arrives as the U.S. trade adapts to three 2025 dynamics: verification for sustainable sourcing, the hardening secondary market for lab-grown stones, and demand for sculptural, materially expressive design. AGA’s emphasis on rigorous reporting and education adds crystalline clarity to provenance and grading language — the kind of technical authority that can change how pieces trade and are insured.
Impact for Retailers and Investors
For U.S. retailers the practical implications are immediate. A stronger AGA standardset can increase buyer confidence by giving inventory “substantial heft” in the market: clearer reports reduce negotiation friction and support premium pricing for stones with verified provenance and treatment disclosure. For investors, consistent, transparent grading reduces valuation volatility; certifications that communicate treatment, origin and sustainability attributes can preserve liquidity when markets shift.
Operationally: train staff on any revised AGA report formats, require up-to-date certificates for high-value inventory, and monitor guidance issued after the AGA Tucson Gemological Conference where new members will be sworn in on Feb. 4. Those attending will also be recognized at the AGA Gala Dinner that evening; tickets and conference details are available online.
New leadership in a standards body is rarely cosmetic. In the world of gems, the authority that signs a report determines perception — and perception shapes price.
Image Referance: https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/14575-aga-announces-2026-board