AGTA Elects New Board Members 

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has appointed a new board, with Bruce Bridges of Bridges Tsavorite to serve as president for a three-year term. 

Bridges first joined the AGTA board in February 2023. Meanwhile Joseph Ambalu of Amba Gem Corporation and Tracy Lindwall of Nomad’s Lapidary were both newly elected to the board for three-year terms, AGTA said Wednesday. 

They will be joined by Matt Hopkins of Hopkins Opal and Eshvar Kotahwala of Vinod Kotahwala, who were both reelected for three-year terms, and Dudley Blauwet of Dudley Blauwet Gems, who returned for a two-year term. The directors will take office in February following the AGTA GemFair jewelry show in Tucson, Arizona. 

Kimberly Collins of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems, who will step down as president in 2025, will continue to serve as past president, while Eric Yen of Yen’s Jewelry & Accessories will exit his position as director. 

Image: Polished emeralds. (Gemfields)