R. Michael Richards Receives 2026 Shipley Award
The American Gem Society honored the Underwood's Jewelers president for his significant service to the industry.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Jewelry
R. Michael Richards, president of Underwood's Jewelers, received the 2026 Robert M. Shipley Award during a luncheon held in Orlando. The prestigious honor recognizes his dedicated service to the American Gem Society and his contributions to the field of gemology.
Why it matters
The award celebrates individuals who have made meaningful impacts on the jewelry industry through leadership and expertise. It highlights a career path that began at age 15 and has spanned decades of service within the American Gem Society.
R. Michael Richards holds a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America and a business management degree from Marshall University. He has navigated a professional trajectory encompassing three total jobs throughout his career.
The players
R. Michael Richards
He is the president of Underwood's Jewelers and a long-time contributor to the American Gem Society.
American Gem Society
This professional organization is dedicated to high ethical standards and consumer protection in the jewelry industry.
John Carter
He is a prominent figure in the jewelry industry who presented the award to Richards.
The details
John Carter presented the award to Richards at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate during the annual AGS Conclave. The recognition acknowledges Richards' extensive tenure with the organization, which includes serving on the International Board of Directors and as the society's president.
Timeline
1990: Richards started his career as a store manager for Underwood's.
2009: Richards joined the AGS International Board of Directors.
2020-2022: Richards served as president of the American Gem Society.
2024: Richards became president of Underwood's Jewelers.
2026: Richards received the Robert M. Shipley Award.
Culture Shift
This recognition reflects a broader trend of rewarding career-long commitment within traditional professional societies. It signals a move to honor institutional knowledge and leadership stability in an era that often favors rapid turnover.
For local jewelry customers, this award serves as a mark of professional credibility for a long-standing regional business leader. It reinforces the importance of shopping with accredited experts who participate in national industry standards.
The takeaway
Recognizing industry leadership fosters a culture of excellence and continuity within the professional jewelry community. Readers can take note of the value in long-term career dedication and active participation in trade organizations.
Further reading
Learn more about industry honors and standards at the Jewelry section.
More information
View further details regarding the event at the American Gem Society and Conclave information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Ponte Vedra Recorder.
