Two video productions by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) were honored in the 24th Telly Awards—one in the “History/Biography” category honoring GIA’s former Chairman, the late Richard T. Liddicoat, and the other in the “Public Relations” category showing the public how GIA grades diamonds. Both GIA videos were “finalists” and earned bronze statuettes.

Since its inception in 1980, the Telly Awards have become one of the most sought-after national awards in the TV, commercial, and video industry and regularly receive more than 10,000 entries annually. Among last year’s winners were Smithsonian, National Geographic Channel, The History Channel, and Discovery Channel.

The 20-minute video biography honoring Liddicoat, known as the “Father of Modern Gemology,” was shown at his “Celebration of Life” observance in August 2002. It captures Liddicoat’s immense contributions to gemology and the jewelry industry—including creation of the International Diamond Grading System—as well as his monumental work in leading the development of GIA into a premier educational, research, and laboratory institute for the gem and jewelry industry. The video also illustrates the greatness of Liddicoat’s character and intellect, and the heartwarming personal qualities that made him admired and loved by all who knew him.

“How GIA Grades Your Diamonds Using the 4Cs,” is a five-minute video that offers the public its first glimpse into GIA’s secure diamond grading operation inside the GIA Gem Laboratory. It includes rare, behind-the-scenes footage that documents the laboratory’s methodical grading process.

JCK