Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
GradingAug 30, 2017
Dona Dirlam Retires as GIA’s Library Director
She stepped down after 38 years at the Gemological Institute of America and has been succeeded by Robert Weldon.
After 38 years with the GIA, Dona Dirlam retired from her position as director of the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center as of Aug. 25. (Photo credit: Michael Justice © GIA)
Carlsbad, Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America’s longtime director of its library and information center, Dona Dirlam, has retired.
Dirlam officially stepped out of the role on Aug. 25 after 38 years of serving the GIA.
In her role, she was responsible for establishing and expanding the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center, now a leading resource center for gems, gemology and jewelry.
That role now will fall to Dirlam’s successor, Robert Weldon, who has been manager of photography and visual communications for GIA since 2006.
Dirlam followed a passion for minerals and gems to GIA’s Santa Monica campus in 1979. After she received her GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma, she joined the institute as a staff gemologist and later was offered the opportunity to build its library by Liddicoat himself.
She began as a research librarian in 1980 and became the director of the library in 1995, and also served as abstract editor of GIA’s quarterly professional journal, Gems & Gemology, from 1981 to 1994.
Over her tenure at the GIA, Dirlam expanded the library’s collection to include more than 57,000 books, 700 journals and magazine titles, 198,000 digital images and 1,800 video recordings.
And when she added the 14,000-volume John & Marjorie Sinkankas Gemological Library in 1987 and created the Cartier Rare Book Repository & Archives in 1998, she helped make it the world’s largest library for information on gems and jewelry, according to the GIA.
She also spearheaded a project to digitize the collection’s rarest items to make them available for free to the public and gem industry across the world.
Since it launched two years ago, more than 300 books have been scanned and are now available online.
Dirlam also has been recognized numerous times for her contributions to the industry.
She received the Outstanding Gemologist Award from the Association of Women Gemologists in 1989, and GIA’s Staff of the Year award in 1991. In 2004, she was bestowed with GIA’s highest honor, the Richard T. Liddicoat Distinguished Achievement Award.
Less than a decade later, in 2015, she received the Accredited Gemologists Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2016 was honored with the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Award for Excellence in Special Services.
She also has co-authored more than a dozen articles for
Gems & Gemology, five of which received the publication’s Most Valuable Article award.
“Dona’s groundbreaking efforts on behalf of the institute’s research, education and outreach capabilities have kept GIA at the forefront of gemological scholarship,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques.
Weldon took over responsibility as library director upon Dirlam’s retirement. The GIA said he plans to carry on her legacy of expanding its collection and making it available to all.
After receiving his GG diploma in 1987, Weldon spent three years working at the GIA library with Dirlam.
He then joined JCK magazine as colored gemstone editor, followed by a role at Professional Jeweler as senior writer.
Since he returned to the GIA in 2006, Weldon’s photographs and articles have appeared in numerous gemological, jewelry and consumer publications.
“Dona’s groundbreaking efforts on behalf of the institute’s research, education and outreach capabilities have kept GIA at the forefront of gemological scholarship,” said GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques.
Weldon took over responsibility as library director upon Dirlam’s retirement. The GIA said he plans to carry on her legacy of expanding its collection and making it available to all.
After receiving his GG diploma in 1987, Weldon spent three years working at the GIA library with Dirlam.
He then joined JCK magazine as colored gemstone editor, followed by a role at Professional Jeweler as senior writer.
Since he returned to the GIA in 2006, Weldon’s photographs and articles have appeared in numerous gemological, jewelry and consumer publications.
More on Grading
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
