AGA Honors Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki with 2024 AGA Antonio C. Bonanno Award
for Excellence in Gemology
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is proud to announce Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, Director of the Swiss Gemological Institute SSEF, as the 2024 recipient of the esteemed Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology. Selected by AGA membership, this prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Krzemnicki’s exceptional contributions and steadfast dedication to gemology.
With over 25 years of service at SSEF, one of the world’s leading laboratories for colored stones, diamonds, and pearls, Dr. Krzemnicki has firmly established himself as a global authority in gemology. Alongside his role at SSEF, he is a lecturer at the University of Basel and actively supervises gemology-related research in collaboration with Swiss universities and international research institutions. His extensive published works in scientific and trade journals further underscore his impact on the field. In 2017, Dr. Krzemnicki’s achievements were recognized when he received the Gemological Excellence Award from the Swiss Gemological Society.
Dr. Krzemnicki serves on several prominent boards and committees, including the Scientific Board of the Swiss Gemological Society (SGS), the Executive Board of the International Gemological Conference (IGC), the Committee on Gemstone Varietal Names (CVN) by CIBJO, the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC), and the Technical Board for the Standardization of Fei Cui (Jadeite) Testing by HKTDC.
An internationally sought-after speaker, Dr. Krzemnicki will be among the experts presenting at the AGA Gemological Conference in Tucson, Arizona, on February 5, 2025. Following the conference, he will be honored as the 2024 Bonanno Award recipient at the AGA Gala Dinner-Dance, where he will receive a personalized plaque and an honorarium funded by the AGA membership.
Reservations for the event can be found here.
This recognition underscores Dr. Krzemnicki’s profound impact on gemology and his unwavering dedication to advancing the science and understanding of gems worldwide.
The Bonanno Award
Established in 2000, the AGA Antonio C. Bonanno Award was created to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the field of gemology and pays homage to the legacy of Antonio C. Bonanno, a pivotal force in the formation of the Association.
Selected by a majority vote of the AGA membership, the recipient receives global recognition, a specially commissioned plaque and medallion, and an honorarium funded by AGA members.
The Bonanno Award encourages and rewards advances in gemological research, education, innovation, and ethical practices in the field of gemology.
AGA membership is not required to nominate or to be nominated. AGA accepts nominations for the Bonanno Award throughout the year. The annual deadline for nominations is 11:59 pm (Pacific time) on July 15th.
Past Recipients
Krzemnicki joins these Bonanno Award recipients:
2023 Dr. Jeffrey Post
2022 Gary Roskin
2020 Robert Weldon
2019 Donna Hawrelko
2019 Mikko Åström
2019 Alberto Scarani
2019 Karl Schmetzer
2018 Dr. William “Bill” Hanneman
2017 Al Gilbertson
2016 Dr. Çiğdem Lüle
2015 Dr. Thomas Hainschwang
2014 Dr. John Emmett
2013 Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch
2012 Thom Underwood
2011 Stuart Robertson
2010 Richard W. Hughes
2009 Christopher P. Smith
2008 Dr. James Shigley
2007 Shane McClure
2006 Richard Drucker
2005 Alan Jobbins
2005 Antoinette Matlins
2004 Dr. Henry A. Hanni
2003 G. Robert Crowningshield
2002 John I. Koivula
2001 C. R. “Cap” Beesley
2000 Alan Hodgkinson
To learn more about the Bonanno Award and recipients, Tap Here!
