Donald A. Palmieri
President, Gem Certification and Assurance
Lab (GCAL)
Master Gemologist Appraiser®
Expertise: Diamonds and Colored Gemstones.
Other Areas: Antique and Period Jewelry.
Don Palmieri, a 1971 graduate in residence of the Gemological Institute
of America, Santa Monica, CA and a decorated Vietnam Veteran, has
been under contract with national and international government and
law enforcement agencies as a consultant, appraiser, mediator and
forensic expert witness. His expertise is frequently sought by museums,
insurance companies, the jewelry trade, law and accounting firms and
individuals. A court-appointed Chapter 11 Trustee and member of the
National Forensic Center, Mr. Palmieri has been called upon to testify
as an expert witness in major court cases throughout the United States
and abroad.
Palmieri has been interviewed for
The Wall Street Journal,
Consumer Reports,
Barron's,
Money Magazine,
The Straight Times and others. As a consumer advocate and
expert in the evaluation of diamonds and gemstones, he makes frequent
appearances on national and local television shows and radio programs.
He also lectures at trade shows, appraisal conferences, museums, and
professional group meetings.
In addition to his Graduate Gemologist (GIA) degree, Palmieri holds
a Senior Member, Master Gemologist Appraiser® designation with
the American Society of Appraisers. He's been on staff as a Research
Associate with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Earth Sciences
division since 1983 and taught consumer education classes in gemology,
gem sciences and jewelry for the Carnegie Museum's Education Division
from 1986-1999.
Maria Mrozek
Senior Gemologist, Gem Certification and Assurance
Lab (GCAL)
Expertise: Diamonds.
Other Areas: Diamond Rough.
Maria Mrozek gained invaluable experience during her nine-year tenure
at the Gemological Institute of America's Gem Trade Laboratory (GTL),
where she earned the position of Senior Quality Assurance Diamond
Grader. Maria has utilized her keen gemological skills when working
with diamond cutters and manufacturers to improve the quality of rough
and polished diamonds. Before joining the GCAL team, she worked with
important diamond wholesalers and fine jewelry manufacturers in New
York City. Maria holds a Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the Gemological
Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA, as well as GIA's Graduate Pearls
Diploma. Maria's expertise in quality control and quality assurance,
in addition to her excellent diamond grading abilities, uniquely equip
her to perform the duties of Senior Gemologist.
Lioudmila Tretiakova
Senior Research Gemologist, Ph.D., G.G.
Expertise: Diamonds, Colored stones,
Minerals.
Lioudmila Tretiakova is a graduate of St. Petersburg State Mining
Institute (Russia) with a MS in geology and a Ph.D. in mineralogy
and spectroscopy. She also has a G.G. Diploma in gemology from the
Gemological Institute of America. For last 25 years, she has been
a professional research scientist of mineralogy and gemology. Lioudmila
has authored many articles and patents, and has presented her research
on "Nondestructive gem identification technique" at many International
Gemological Symposiums. She had the opportunity to examine and analyze
the mineralogical and gemological collections from St. Petersburg
Mining Museum and jewelry collections from famous St. Petersburg Art
Museums (Russia). Scientific interests: gems, minerals, their origin,
treatment, enhancement, spectroscopic methods of nondestructive gem
identification.
Jennifer Vichinsky
Senior Gemologist, Gem Certification and Assurance
Lab (GCAL)
Expertise: Diamonds.
Other Areas: Colored Stones.
Jennifer Vichinsky holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Facility
Management (architectural design and layout) from SUNY @ Buffalo.
Her design interests lead her to the Gemological Institute of America
(GIA) where she studied Jewelry Design, Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing.
After graduating from GIA with a Graduate Jeweler Gemology Diploma,
Jennifer spent several years in retail jewelry sales and appraising.
She subsequently acquired a position teaching Gemology (Diamonds and
Colored Stones) at the GIA in New York City. Since 1999, Jennifer
has worked with Don Palmieri in a laboratory setting, honing her skills
as a diamond and colored stone grader and appraiser. Her proficiency
in evaluating all facets of diamonds and their structure lead to her
position as Senior Gemologist at GCAL.
Sharrie Woodring
Senior Gemologist, Gem Certification and Assurance
Lab (GCAL)
Expertise: Diamonds and Colored Gemstones.
Sharrie Woodring is a lifelong collector of gems and minerals and
began lapidary work (cutting gemstones) at age 12. She holds a Graduate
Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and a
diploma from the Gemological Association of Great Britain, earning
the right to use the initials F.G.A. (Fellow of the Gemological Association.)
She has written numerous articles and co-authored a book about synthetic
diamonds. She also lectures at trade events around the world and has
appeared on television as a gem industry expert.