Shane McClure

Many of GIA’s most influential leaders, past and present, have become synonymous with the world of gemology. Such is the case for Shane McClure, recently named the global director of colored stone services. In the 37 years since he joined GIA, McClure has become an internationally recognized authority in the field of gem identification.
 
A native Californian, McClure began his career at the Institute as a staff gemologist in the downtown Los Angeles laboratory shortly after earning his GG at the Santa Monica campus in 1978. There, he co-founded the identification services department in 1980. He rose through the ranks, supervising and then managing identification services before assuming the role of director of West Coast identification services in 1999. Among the developments that took place under his tenure was the issuance of clarity enhancement reports in natural emerald (starting in 2000), the identification of new treatments and composite techniques, and steps toward clearer nomenclature for corundum, jade, turquoise, and many other gem materials.
 
Over the past few decades, McClure has built a reputation as a knowledgeable speaker who lectures around the world on gemological issues. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles on topics such as the diffusion treatment of corundum, the identification of bleached and polymer-impregnated  “B” jade, Zachery-treated turquoise and classifying emerald clarity enhancement. To date, he has authored 29 articles for Gems & Gemology, 15 of which have won the journal’s Most Valuable Article award. Notable G&G articles include articles fracture-filled diamonds with Robert Kammerling, identification of lead-glass-filled rubies (winner of the AGS Liddicoat Journalism Award in 2006), and gemstone enhancement and detection in both the 1990s and 2000s. He has also served as the journal’s Lab Notes editor since 1997.
 
McClure is also an exceptional gemstone and jewelry photographer who utilizes both macro- and photomicrography in his work. His work has illustrated numerous articles, including those on the Dresden Green diamond and lead glass–filled rubies. His photograph of an emerald rosary, recovered from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha shipwreck, graced the cover of G&G’s Winter 1989 issue.
 
For his efforts in the field of gemology, he was named GIA’s Staff of the Year member in 1989, and presented with the AGA’s Antonio Bonnano Award for Excellence in 2007.  While his contributions to the industry are myriad, no one can doubt that his work is a labor of love. In his own words, “I love what I’m doing…it’s an ever-changing job, and it keeps me interested.”