CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
GradingNov 14, 2017
GIA Announces New Board Members
Three members join as three finish their decade-long terms.
The Board of Governors met in November at the GIA headquarters in Carlsbad. Pictured from left, seated: Barbara A. Sawrey, Lawrence Ma, Barbara Lee Dutrow, Robert Andrew ‘Andy’ Johnson, Thomas T. Yang and Karen Evans; standing: Elliot Tannenbaum, Thomas H. Insley, Lisa A. Locklear, Thomas M. Moses, Board Chair Dione D. Kenyon, Susan M. Jacques, Amit Dhamani, John W. Valley and Stephen F. Kahler. Not pictured: Glenn R. Nord. Photo by Kevin Schumacher/GIA.
Carlsbad Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America announced new and departing board members at its recent board of governors meeting.
The three new board members are Karen Evans, Lawrence Ma and Robert Andrew “Andy” Johnson.
Evans comes from a background in IT implementation and cyber security and worked for the U.S. government for more than 25 years. She currently is the national director of the U.S. Cyber Challenge and a partner at KE&T Partners.
Ma has more than 45 years of experience in the diamond industry and has served in several senior roles in trade organizations. He is the chief executive of Lee Heng Diamond Group and founding president of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong.
Johnson hails from a retail and commercial real estate background and is the CEO of Diamond Cellar Holdings.
As Evans, Ma and Johnson join the board, three members depart. They are John A. Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green, who was executive chair of the board from 2014 to 2016 and chair of the laboratory and research committee from 2013 to 2017; James P. Shinehouse, managing partner of Atlantic Financial Advisory Partners, who served as executive vice chair from 2015 to 2017 and head of the audit committee from 2010 to 2017; and Ephraim Zion, managing director of Dehres Ltd., who served on the Laboratory and Research and Executive Committees.
Green, Shinehouse and Zion all joined the board in 2007.
GIA President and CEO Susan M. Jacques commented in a press release, “Karen Evans, Lawrence Ma and Andy Johnson bring expertise, insight and deep knowledge in areas that are vital to continued success in today’s dynamic global market. They will undoubtedly make a significant contribution as members of the GIA Board of Governors as we work to further GIA’s public benefit mission. We thank the departing governors for their many years of wise counsel and dedicated service.”
The week prior to the board meeting, the GIA’s global research team held their annual meeting at the Carlsbad headquarters.
Attendees, who included GIA researchers, consulting scientists, fellows from the Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellowship program and GIA governors and executives, discussed developments in instrumentation, methods of detecting diamond treatments and synthetics, how to determine the origin of colored gemstones and pearl structures over the three-day gathering.
More on Grading
The Latest
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
TechnologyDec 08, 2025
You’ve Heard of Smart Watches and Rings; Meet Smart EarringsBilled as the world’s smallest wearable, Lumia Health’s new smart earrings have a health tracker subtly embedded in the back.
TrendsDec 08, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Celebrating December’s BirthstonesDon’t let those with December birthdays feel blue. Help them celebrate their month with blue zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite.
CollectionsDec 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s ‘Tsar Star’ EarringsThe new pink sapphire version of the piece dances with its wearer in the brand’s “Icons After Dark” holiday campaign.
TrendsDec 05, 2025
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2026 Is … WhiteA choice that’s generated a lot of commentary, Pantone says “Cloud Dancer” marks a fresh start and encourages relaxation and creativity.
