AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
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 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
