Speaker-in-Residence

I am thrilled to share with all of you that our 2026 EFMLS Speaker-in-Residence will be Robert Weldon. He is one of the world’s most prominent gem and jewelry photographers and a respected journalist with over 35 years in the trade.

Robert Weldon received a BS in Business from the University of Arkansas, and is GIA Graduate Gemologist. In 2020 he was awarded the Antonio Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology, issued by the Accredited Gemologists Association (IGA), an award that only a handful of global recipients have received. The award was given for his significant contributions to the field of gemology, journalism and photography.

Robert started his career as Senior Editor on colored gemstones for JCK Magazine (1991-1998), for which he attended and covered major gem and jewelry shows. He traveled around the world, covering many gem materials, miners, and the business of gemstones.

Then, Robert worked as Senior Writer for Professional Jeweler magazine (2000-2006), for which he traveled to some major gem producing countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, China, and Burma (Myanmar) to report about gems and the people who mine them. His illustrated articles featured his own brand of gemological photojournalism.

Robert served as Director of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library at the GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California, from August 2017 until he retired in March 2024. There he led a team of librarians and subject matter experts and positioned the library to be a critical archive for researchers and students and the trade, but also a significant content producer, much of it digitized, providing greater access. During all those years Robert did extensive international travel, reporting, writing, photographing, and giving seminars and lectures.

As a writer and photographer for Gems & Gemology, GIA’s scholarly publication, Robert sees and handles superb gemological treasures from around the world. Using his gift for photography and storytelling, he often writes feature, peer-reviewed articles for the journal. His images have enriched numerous articles in G&G and other publications and books with over forty of his photos gracing the journal’s cover.

Robert has been involved in the production of several books, including the Splendour & Science of Pearls, which he co-authored and edited. A Rough Guide for Artisanal Miners is an educational book which he has delivered and lectured on to artisanal miners in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and other East African countries, as a part of GIAs Artisanal mining program, funded through its Endowment.

Since his retirement, he and his wife Orasa, have moved to Tucson, Arizona, but he plans to remain active and vital to the gem and jewelry industry.

As with our 2025 Speaker-in-Residence, Marty Fuller, I met Robert Weldon during the 1991 GIA International Symposium in Los Angeles, and have enjoyed a friendship since then.

I am sure that all our Wildacres participants will be fascinated with Robert’s photos and stories from all over the world. He is a kind and gentle soul, with a great sense of humor, and is thrilled to be able to come to Wildacres and share his passion.

Looking forward to seeing all of you “On The Mountain” in 2026,

Helen Serras-Herman
EFMLS Wildacres Committee Chairman and Speaker-in-Residence Coordinator