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
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
