Noted scientist, author, and educator advised GIA for over 50 years
CARLSBAD, Calif. – February 11, 2026 – George Rossman, a member of the GIA Board of Governors from 1995 to 2007 and professor of mineralogy, emeritus, at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), passed away on February 6 at age 81.
“George was a skilled and passionate scientist, a dedicated and talented educator, and a mentor to generations of GIA scientists," said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
In addition to being a GIA Governor, he advised GIA researchers for over 50 years and authored or co-authored numerous important articles for GIA’s professional journal, Gems & Gemology, while serving many years on the journal’s editorial review board.
Jennifer Stone-Sundberg, senior technical editor at Gems & Gemology, frequently visited him at Caltech. She noted, “George was one of the most significant resources for Gems & Gemology, whether he was an author, peer reviewer or guest editor. Endlessly curious, he would always consider a researcher’s background and research capabilities and was very sympathetic to new talent.”
A respected professor of mineralogy at Caltech, Rossman was known for his passion for the field and his enthusiastic dedication to teaching. He was a leading authority on mineral spectroscopy and the causes of color in minerals, and, with others, discovered several minerals, including rossmanite from the tourmaline family, named in his honor. A prolific writer, he produced more than 400 academic papers.
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ABOUT GIA Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism. |
Noted scientist, author, and educator advised GIA for over 50 years
CARLSBAD, Calif. – February 11, 2026 – George Rossman, a member of the GIA Board of Governors from 1995 to 2007 and professor of mineralogy, emeritus, at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), passed away on February 6 at age 81.
“George was a skilled and passionate scientist, a dedicated and talented educator, and a mentor to generations of GIA scientists," said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
In addition to being a GIA Governor, he advised GIA researchers for over 50 years and authored or co-authored numerous important articles for GIA’s professional journal, Gems & Gemology, while serving many years on the journal’s editorial review board.
Jennifer Stone-Sundberg, senior technical editor at Gems & Gemology, frequently visited him at Caltech. She noted, “George was one of the most significant resources for Gems & Gemology, whether he was an author, peer reviewer or guest editor. Endlessly curious, he would always consider a researcher’s background and research capabilities and was very sympathetic to new talent.”
A respected professor of mineralogy at Caltech, Rossman was known for his passion for the field and his enthusiastic dedication to teaching. He was a leading authority on mineral spectroscopy and the causes of color in minerals, and, with others, discovered several minerals, including rossmanite from the tourmaline family, named in his honor. A prolific writer, he produced more than 400 academic papers.
⸺
ABOUT GIA Through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science and professionalism. |
