The French Association of Gemmology has named Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA’s) John I. Koivula and the late Richard T. Liddicoat to its list of 50 personalities and events that have shaped the history of gems.
“It’s truly an honour to be recognized alongside these great people and events,” said Koivula.
“I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Liddicoat for many years, and his passion and dedication to researching gems still inspires many—including me—to this day. I’m grateful to the French Association of Gemmology for including me in this esteemed group.”
Koivula is GIA’s chief research gemmologist and was in Paris earlier this month to accept the honour. He joined GIA in 1976 and has spent more than 50 years studying and photographing the micro world of gemstones. Koivula has published over 800 articles and notes on gemstone inclusions and related topics. He is the author of MicroWorld of Diamonds.
Liddicoat, a former president of GIA, is widely considered the ‘Father of Modern Gemmology.’ He joined the institute in 1940 as the assistant director of education, where his work on coloured stones led to the publication of his Handbook of Gem Identification seven years later. Liddicoat succeeded Robert Shipley as GIA’s executive director in 1952 and became editor-in-chief of Gems & Gemology, a position he held for 50 years.
He was the architect of GIA’s D-to-Z diamond grading system. After stepping down as GIA president in 1983, Liddicoat was named chair of its board of governors, a position he held until his death in 2002.
