GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationGradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 Years
Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Tom Moses examining the 2,488-carat “Motswedi” diamond at GIA’s laboratory in Gaborone, Botswana, in July 2025. After five decades with the Gemological Institute of America, Moses will leave the lab in May. He will be named GIA’s chief of gemological research, emeritus in honor of his years of service and his contributions to gemology. (Image courtesy of GIA; Photo credit: Wuyi Wang)
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America announced that Tom Moses, who has been with GIA for almost 50 years and has become a key figure in modern gemology, will be leaving GIA in the spring.
In a news release about Moses’ departure sent out Thursday, the lab said both it and Moses have been preparing for his departure for the last few years.
He will remain with GIA through May.
During this time, GIA said Moses will work with its research and laboratory teams to further enhance its research efforts, support its clients, and advance its mission.
A lab spokesperson said there are no plans to appoint someone new to Moses’ exact role, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
To honor his contributions over the years, GIA will name Moses chief of gemological research, emeritus.
“The rigor Tom brought to grading, the discipline he brought to science, the unwavering focus he brought to our customers, and the humility he brought to leadership reflect the very best of what we aspire to be,” GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel said.
“Fifty years is not simply a measure of time—for GIA, it has been a period of remarkable growth driven by Tom’s commitment, curiosity, and leadership. His lasting legacy lives in the standards he helped shape and the generations of professionals he guided and inspired.”
Related stories will be right here …
In a news release about Moses’ departure sent out Thursday, the lab said both it and Moses have been preparing for his departure for the last few years.
He will remain with GIA through May.
During this time, GIA said Moses will work with its research and laboratory teams to further enhance its research efforts, support its clients, and advance its mission.
A lab spokesperson said there are no plans to appoint someone new to Moses’ exact role, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
To honor his contributions over the years, GIA will name Moses chief of gemological research, emeritus.
“The rigor Tom brought to grading, the discipline he brought to science, the unwavering focus he brought to our customers, and the humility he brought to leadership reflect the very best of what we aspire to be,” GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel said.
“Fifty years is not simply a measure of time—for GIA, it has been a period of remarkable growth driven by Tom’s commitment, curiosity, and leadership. His lasting legacy lives in the standards he helped shape and the generations of professionals he guided and inspired.”
Moses joined GIA’s laboratory in Santa Monica, California, after earning his Graduate Gemologist diploma in 1976. (GIA left Santa Monica for Carlsbad, California, in the late ‘90s.)
He went on to work under his mentor, gemologist Robert Crowningshield, in New York City.
Moses has held numerous leadership roles at GIA over the years, including senior vice president and executive vice president, according to his LinkedIn page.
He also has co-authored more than 100 technical articles for GIA’s professional journal Gems & Gemology and other peer-reviewed journals.
GIA said Moses was the driving force behind its international expansion, transforming GIA into a global leader in gemology and education with 10 laboratories and seven schools across 10 countries.
In 2002, Moses’ leadership was recognized with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.
In 2013, he was elected to GIA’s board of governors. At the same meeting, he was promoted to his current role, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
“I have been extremely privileged to work with the two greatest gemologists and have them as my mentors,” Moses said.
“I will always be grateful to Richard Liddicoat for hiring me and for his selfless guidance, and to Robert Crowningshield, with whom I worked closely for 20 years, for sharing his extraordinary knowledge and for his friendship. There is no better way to honor their legacy than through continued research that advances our understanding of Earth’s treasures.”
More on Grading
The Latest
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
