Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
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
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
Weekly QuizJul 10, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 10, 2025
Penny Preville Celebrates 5 Decades of Jewelry DesignThe brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.
IndependentsJul 10, 2025
Steven Goldfarb to Retire, Close Alvin Goldfarb JewelerGoldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
LVMH Names New Chairman, CEO of the AmericasLongtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.
Events & AwardsJul 10, 2025
IAC Gold and Diamond Conference Returns to NYC Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.
MajorsJul 10, 2025
Hearts On Fire Appoints New Sales DirectorVickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.
SurveysJul 09, 2025
Jewelry Stays Strong as Luxury Market Slows, Bain & Co. Says Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.
Supplier BulletinJul 09, 2025
JCK Unwrapped: Trends, Insights & Post-Show TipsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
CollectionsJul 09, 2025
Cece Jewellery’s New Fruit Jewels Celebrate Life’s SweetnessThe “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So FarDiamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.
SourcingJul 09, 2025
Florida Couple Finds 3-Carat Diamond in ArkansasThey discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.
CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
TechnologyJul 08, 2025
‘Diamond Divas’ Brings the Showroom to Social Media Reality SeriesIt follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
SourcingJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store BurglaryPolice officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
