The American Gem Trade Association announces the appointment of Loretta Castoro as Gemologist to the AGTA Gemological Testing Center. She brings a blend of gemological expertise and experience from both the high-end gemstone and jewelry industries.

Castoro qualified as a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain and received an Advanced Scientific Gemology Certificate from the Swiss Gemmological Institute. She is a Graduate Gemologist in Residence with GIA. She has extensive global travel experience with the procurement of gem materials on several continents and has overseen the factory production and design of jewelry.

While an avid gemologist, Castoro also accents her background with merchandising experience developing new brand name products and the distribution of new product lines. She has worked with such well recognized names as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. As an artisan in the industry, she designed an exclusive belt buckle for Anastacia as seen on MTV.

Adding to her industry credentials, she served as vice president of Merchandising and Gem Acquisition for Mondera.com. And she spent ten years at Tiffany & Co., where she held several positions, including director of Colored Gem Acquisitions and manager of the Valuations and Estate Jewelry departments.

“Loretta represents the broad spectrum of experience that enhances our Laboratory. She not only is a skilled and experienced gemologist by trade but has excelled in many practical aspects of our industry where marketing, retail and other diversified responsibilities creates an asset you rarely find in a single individual,” said Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center Laboratory director.

JCK