The Gemological Institute of America has appointed Akiva Caspi director of research and product development for GIA Gem Instruments. In his new role, Caspi will manage product engineering and technical services and develop new products for GIA Gem Instruments. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electronic engineering from the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and has worked as managing director of the Israel Diamond Institute and director of marketing for Dialit Ltd., a machine manufacturing company for the diamond industry, where he created new methods for diamond table polishing and rough diamond analysis.