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Renowned Gemologist Receives GIA's Distinguished Achievement Award

John Koivula, a gemologist with nearly five decades of experience studying and photographing the microworld of gemstones, has been award the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, the GIA announced Tuesday.

The award, bestowed upon Koivula during a ceremony December 17 at the GIA's headquarters in Carlsbad, is "the highest tribute the Institute can bestow upon an individual." Koivula is credited for introducing fiber optic illumination and discovering many of the micro-characteristics used to separate treated stones from natural gems.

"John is deeply concerned about GIA, the promulgation of the Institute's core values both inside and outside of our walls, and ensuring GIA's future," said GIA President and Chief Executive Officer Donna Baker. "His talents are multi-faceted and he uses them to shed light on gemology – particularly the microworld of gemstones –through a variety of roles, including photographer, researcher, author and speaker."