GIA said in an internal memo Wednesday that John Koivula, one of the world’s top gemologists, has been rehired by GIA. The memo, drafted by Tom Moses, VP and director of gemological services for the GIA Gem Laboratory, notes that Koivula will be back on staff next week.

“I am very pleased and excited to announce that John Koivula is returning to GIA and will rejoin the Lab on Jan. 8. John will be working in the Identification Department in Carlsbad supporting identification services and continuing his world renowned research work. John will also train other staff on microscopic and photographic techniques and contribute to Gems & Gemology.

The memo continued: “John’s list of achievements are impressive and too numerous to list in this announcement. We are delighted that John is returning to GIA and we look forward to working with him again.”

American Gem trade Association’s Gem Testing Center announced that it hired Koivula from GIA almost exactly a year ago. No reason was given why Koivula left AGTA GTC and returned to GIA.

Koivula, a noted inclusions expert and author, spent 44 years studying and photographing the microworld of gemstones. He started in the mining industry as a field geologist for Cominco American and then worked for GIA for 29 years finishing his stint as chief research gemologist.

Koivula has published more than 800 articles and notes on gemstone inclusions and related topics and has authored, co-authored, or contributed to several books.

Koivula holds degrees in geology and chemistry; is a G.G., C.G., and an FGA; was awarded a fellowship in the Royal Microscopical Society; and serves on the executive board of the International Gemmological Conference group.

He is an honorary life member of the Finnish Gemmological Society and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and was named by JCK as one of the 64 most influential people of the 20th Century in the jewelry industry. Honors include the Robert M. Shipley Award and Richard T. Liddicoat Journalism Award from the American Gem Society, the Scholarship Foundation Award from the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies, and the Antonio C. Bonanno Award for excellence in gemology from the international Accredited Gemologists Association.

JCK