More than 200 guests gathered at GIA’s World Headquarters in Carlsbad to honor those who have so far participated in the Save Bahia campaign Nov. 9 during a Brazilian-themed reception.
Campaign participants were recognized for contributing $1,000 each toward the purchase of Bahia, a 4' 7" tall, 602-pound rutilated quartz sculpture. Originally from the Bahia area of Brazil, the piece is on display in GIA’s Atrium where it is part of the permanent collection.
GIA President William E. Boyajian thanked the donors before the black granite Bahia Donor Wall, which bears the names of each donor so far, was unveiled. Glenn Lehrer, G.G., and Lawrence Stoller, the artists who spent seven years creating the hanging sculpture, were also in attendance.
– Photos by Melissa Jacobs
GIA Board of Governor members
Eli Haas (left), president of
ENH International, Inc., and
Lee Michael Berg (right), president
of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry,
chat with Thomas M. Moses, vice
president of Identification and
Research Services for the
GIA Gem Laboratory.
Cliff Miller (from left), president and CEO
of M.J. Christensen Diamond Centers and
Toros Z. Kejejian, chairman and CEO of
Tycoon Cut Diamonds, share a laugh with
GIA President WIlliam E. Boyajian.
Bev Ross (center), GIA manager of
Annual Giving, spearheaded the
Save Bahia campaign. She stands
with Bahia artists Lawrence Stoller
(left) and Glenn Lehrer, G.G.
Patricia Syvrud, G.G., (from left), GIA manager
of In-Kind Gifts; Fred Mouawad, publisher of
InStore magazine and CEO and co-founder of
Mondera.com; Elise Misiorowski, director of the
GIA Museum; and Pascal Mouawad, vice
president of the Mouawad Group.
Nancy Brewer (from left), president of Nancy B. &
Company, Norma Haas of ENH International, Inc.,
Linda Ellis HArmeling, GIA chief Development
officer, and ANna Martin, senior vice president of
ABN AMRO Bank.
Catharine and Matt Stuller,
president and CEO of
Stuller, Inc., and member
of GIA's Board of Governors.
Susan Clary (from left), Alice Keller, editor-in-
chief of Gems & Gemology, and Michael Clary,
manager of Client Relations for the GIA Gem
Laboratory, attended the Bahia Celebration.
