Dr. James E. Shigley, a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) was bestowed with the GIA’s highest honour, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement. The award recognises his many contributions to gemmological research and the Institute’s mission during his 30-year long career at the institution.

The award, named in honor of GIA’s second president Richard T. Liddicoat, recognizes those who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to furthering the Institute’s mission.

For the past three decades, Dr. Shigley has been widely recognized as the face and voice of GIA research. He has lectured and published extensively on diamonds, coloured stones and gem identification.

“Mr. Liddicoat believed deeply that GIA should have a strong research department, and thanks to Dr. Shigley’s work – from the very inception of his career – this vision is fulfilled,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president of laboratory and research. “Dr. Shigley’s selfless sharing of knowledge leaves a lasting legacy, not only for GIA but for the gem and jewellery industry.”

Shigley is a prolific contributor to gemmological research. His studies identified methods of separating natural from laboratory-grown diamonds, documented important gem localities and established characteristics of HPHT laboratory-grown diamonds. Shigley was instrumental in the creation of the GIA Gem Project, a collection of 2,800 stones (representing 225 minerals) from the Edward J. Gübelin Collection that is used for research, education and display.

Since 1984, he had authored or coauthored 195 scientific articles, including 79 for Gems & Gemology (G&G); 27 of those received the journal’s Most Valuable Article award. He serves as a contributing editor for G&G, and as the editor of the G&G in Review book series.

Shigley’s has also been recipient of The Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award (1998), AGA’s Antonio Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology (2007) and the AGS Lifetime Achievement Award (2017).

The Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement has only been given to 13 people since it started in 1994. Several recipients are still at GIA today – Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer; John Koivula, analytical microscopist; and Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.

Pic caption: Dr. James Shigley and past recipients of the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement at GIA’s holiday party in December. From Left, John Koivula, analytical microscopist; Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer; Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow; and Tom Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.

Pic courtesy: GIA