GIA Innovators
Brief histories of the notable researchers, pioneers, and scholars who have shaped
the Gemological Institute of America—from past to present.
![Robert Shipley Sr. Robert Shipley Sr.](https://www.gia.edu/images/shipley_300x169.jpg)
Founder of GIA and the American Gem Society, and one of the most influential figures in modern gemology.
![GIA Innovator GIA Innovator](https://www.gia.edu/images/GIA_Innovator_ShipleyJr_38785_300x169.jpg)
Developer of gemological instruments and creator of GIA’s gem instruments division.
![GIA Innovator GIA Innovator](https://www.gia.edu/images/GIA_Innovator_Liddicoat_44626_300x169.jpg)
Former GIA president and chairman, as well as the architect behind GIA’s diamond grading system and the editor-in-chief of Gems & Gemology for 50 years.
![GIA Innovator GIA Innovator](https://www.gia.edu/images/GIA_Innovator_Crowningsheild_33103_300x169.jpg)
Longtime director of GIA's New York laboratory, well known for his groundbreaking discoveries and contributions in gemological literature.
![GIA Innovator GIA Innovator](https://www.gia.edu/images/GIA_Innovator_Miles_33867_300x169.jpg)
![GIA Innovator Benson 33874 300x169 GIA Innovator Benson 33874 300x169](https://www.gia.edu/images/Benson_300x169.jpg)
Renowned teacher, master of gem identification, and developer of gemological techniques and instruments.
![GIA Innovator Nord 104718 300x169 GIA Innovator Nord 104718 300x169](https://www.gia.edu/images/104718_300x169.jpg)
A distinguished educator who taught GIA’s first overseas courses, he later served as Institute president and Governor for Life.
![GIA Innovator Fryer 38839 300x169 GIA Innovator Fryer 38839 300x169](https://www.gia.edu/images/38839_fryer_300x169.jpg)
World-renowned gem identification expert who guided GIA's lab services to the forefront of gemological research.
![IMG - GIA Innovator Manson 10799 300x169 IMG - GIA Innovator Manson 10799 300x169](https://www.gia.edu/images/manson_10799_300x169_v2.jpg)
A gemologist, educator, and self-described dreamer who established the Institute’s research department and founded the world-renowned International Gemological Symposium.
![Robert C. Kammerling Robert C. Kammerling](https://www.gia.edu/images/18656_300x169.jpg)
A researcher, author, and instructor regarded as a "hero of modern gemology."
![Bert Krashes Bert Krashes](https://www.gia.edu/images/11788_300x169.jpg)
The vice president and director of GIA's New York lab was a fixture on 47th Street for five decades.
![Kathryn Kimmel Kathryn Kimmel](https://www.gia.edu/images/Kathryn-Kimmel-Career-Fair-2013-154960-300px.jpg)
GIA’s longtime head of marketing and public relations, and the first female member of its executive team, dramatically raised the Institute’s profile across the industry and public.
![Alice Keller Alice Keller](https://www.gia.edu/images/Alice_Keller_Portrait_158181_300x169.jpg)
The longtime editor of Gems & Gemology who spearheaded groundbreaking changes in the format, content, and legacy of GIA’s flagship journal.
![Dona Dirlam Dona Dirlam](https://www.gia.edu/images/38913_dirlam_300x169_v2.jpg)
A childhood love of gems and minerals led to the transformation of GIA's library and to a lasting reputation of excellence.
![John Koivula John Koivula](https://www.gia.edu/images/Koivula_87943_300x169.jpg)
A pioneer in the field of photomicrography and the study of inclusions led to groundbreaking changes in the study of gems.
![James E. Shigley James E. Shigley](https://www.gia.edu/images/Shigley__54201_300x169.jpg)
GIA’s current distinguished research fellow has represented the Institute’s gemological excellence around the world for the past four decades.
![John King John King](https://www.gia.edu/images/71016_King-300x169.jpg)
An artist and gemologist whose research impacted the industry’s understanding of colored diamonds.
![Shane McClure Shane McClure](https://www.gia.edu/images/113282_shane-300x169.jpg)
GIA’s global director of colored stone services raised the gemological bar in identifying gem materials and treatment processes.
![Bill Boyajian Bill Boyajian](https://www.gia.edu/images/Boyajian-168974-300x169.jpg)
A self-described idealist whose dedication to the Institute led to worldwide expansion and gemological innovation.