Graduates can help the Institute distribute American Cut – The First 100 Years across the country

By Emily Stegman

GIA's Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center is partnering with alumni chapters and individual graduates to donate 1,000 copies of Al Gilbertson's new book, American Cut – The First 100 Years, to public libraries around the U.S.

Al Gilbertson, G.G. Photo by Kevin Schumacher

Gilbertson's book examines how diamonds came to be cut the way they are today and documents the development of the "ideal cut." A major focus is on Henry Morse, a 19th-century Boston diamond cutter who, with the help of his shop manager, developed the first bruting machine to shape round diamonds. This, along with Morse's development of the first gauge to measure the angles of a diamond, paved the way for cutting factories around the world. (See The Loupe, Spring 2007, page 25, for more on Gilbertson's book.)

"This partnership with the alumni offers jewelers new opportunities to put a little romance back into diamond selling," said Gilbertson. "By placing the book into libraries, a jeweler can tell their customers about the book and where to read it. They can demonstrate how they and their chapter are involved with getting information out to the public. It shows their excitement about diamonds - and puts excitement into how they talk about diamonds."

April Matteini stands in front of the Boca Raton Library with her book donation. She is one of the first alumni members to help GIA's Library and Alumni Association distribute the book. Courtesy of April Matteini

"I believe that any GIA program aimed at educating the public is beneficial," Matteini said. "American Cut – The First 100 Years is a beautiful book that any library should be pleased to add to their collection."

ichard Hirsh, GIA alumni member and past officer of the North Texas chapter, learned the value of Gilbertson's book when the author visited the alumni group last year.

"Any jeweler today involved with selling diamonds must be armed with both scientific and technical information," Hirsh said. "What jewelers often do is fail to romance the diamond. Al Gilbertson's book has brought back the lore and history of the American Cut diamond. How refreshing it is to study diamond cutting and the competition between America and Europe in the mid-1880s."

GIA's Library will provide any interested alumni chapters or graduates with a copy of American Cut for distribution. Each book will contain a book plate to document the name of the chapter or graduate and the date of the donation; a press release about the donation will also be available to alumni donors to distribute to their local press.

Susan Crump, a G.G. and Accredited Jewelry Professional diploma holder, is planning to donate a copy to the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library in Valrico, Florida. She views the chance to share this book with her community as a pleasure and hopes her fellow alumni will follow suit.

"It is important to distribute this book throughout as many communities as possible for the interest in the jewelry industry to stay kindled. … Let us help satisfy the queries of any person still willing to darken the doors of a public library, who loves books, or simply has curiosities regarding the subject," Crump said.

If you would like to participate, simply notify your local library and then send the name of the library and the librarian who will receive each donated book to the GIA Alumni Association. GIA will package and label the book for distribution. Each chapter and/or graduate is not limited to donating to one library.