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Industry News: GIA Honors Dr. James Shigley; More January 09, 2019 (0 comments)
Dr. James Shigley Recognized with GIA’s Highest Honor
Carlsbad, CA—GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has bestowed the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, its highest honor, on Dr. James E. Shigley (left), GIA distinguished research fellow. Shigley is being honored for his many contributions to gemological research and the Institute’s mission of ensuring public trust in gems and jewelry through its research, education, and lab services.
In more than 30 years at GIA, Shigley has been widely recognized as the face and voice of GIA research. Representing the Institute around the world, he has lectured and published extensively on diamonds, colored stones and gem identification. His work solidified the Institute’s reputation for groundbreaking research. He also has been a frequent and popular speaker at Centurion and other industry shows, offering both guidance and reassurance to jewelers concerned about synthetic and treated diamonds and other gemological issues.
Related: Jewelers Worry About The Wrong Things, Says Synthetic Diamond Panel
Shigley is a prolific contributor to gemological research. His studies identified methods of separating natural from laboratory-grown diamonds, documented important gem localities and established characteristics of HPHT laboratory-grown diamonds. Shigley was instrumental in the creation of the GIA Gem Project, a collection of 2,800 stones (representing 225 minerals) from the Edward J. Gübelin Collection that is used for research, education and display.
Since 1984, he had authored or coauthored 195 scientific articles, including 79 for Gems & Gemology (G&G); 27 of those received the journal’s Most Valuable Article award. He serves as a contributing editor for G&G, and as the editor of the G&G in Review book series.
“Mr. Liddicoat believed deeply that GIA should have a strong research department, and thanks to Dr. Shigley’s work—from the very inception of his career—this vision is fulfilled,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president of laboratory and research. “Dr. Shigley’s selfless sharing of knowledge leaves a lasting legacy, not only for GIA but for the gem and jewelry industry.”
The award, named in honor of GIA’s second president Richard T. Liddicoat, recognizes those who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to furthering the Institute’s mission. The Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement has only been given to 13 people since it started in 1994. Several recipients are still at GIA today – Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer; John Koivula, analytical microscopist; and Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
Shigley’s contributions have earned industry recognition outside of GIA as well, including The Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award (1998), AGA’s Antonio Bonnano Award for Excellence in Gemology (2007) and the AGS Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).
Dr. James Shigley and past recipients of the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement at GIA’s holiday party in December. From left, John Koivula, analytical microscopist; Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer; Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow; and Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
Diamond House to Hold an Exceptional Polished Colored Gem Tender Next Month
Bangkok, Thailand—Bonas, one of the world's leading international diamond tender houses, will hold a tender of exceptional polished colored gems. The tender runs from Monday, Feb. 18 to Friday, Feb. 22 in Bangkok and final sale (online) closes Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Antwerp (CET) time.
The event is being organized with the support of the Asia Gem Center and will take place at the Jewelry Trade Center, 919 Silom Road, Bangkok. It will coincide with February’s Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF).
The tender will present approximately 400 lots featuring yellow sapphire, star blue sapphire, pink sapphire, blue sapphire, star sapphire, ruby, star ruby, emeralds, aquamarine, alexandrite and cat’s eye. Viewings will take place at the 4th floor Privilege Lounge of the Jewelry Trade Center, from 10am until 6pm each day.
The sale will close on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 11.00 a.m. Antwerp (CET) time and will be an online highest bid tender via www.bonascolouredgems.com. Participation in the tender is solely on a registration basis. For company registration and to schedule a viewing, please e-mail Henry Lam, henrylam@bonasgroup.com.