Destino Receives GIA Distinguished Achievement Award

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has honored Ralph Destino, GIA chairman emeritus, with its Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, the highest tribute the Institute can bestow upon an individual.

Destino was presented with the award by GIA President and Chief Executive Officer Donna Baker during a surprise ceremony on November 17, following the second 2008 GIA Board of Governors’ meeting.

The award was initiated in 1994 to be conferred upon a person who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to furthering the GIA’s mission. Destino is the 12th recipient of the Liddicoat Award.

He first the GIA board of governors in 1992 and served as its executive chairman from 1997 to 2005.

Destino became president of Cartier USA in 1976 and named chairman of Cartier Inc. in 1988. In the gem and jewelry industry, Destino served as director of Van Cleef & Arpels Inc., chair of the American Watch Guild, chair of the Editorial Advisory Board of National Jeweler Magazine, chair of the Jewelry Information Center, director of Jewelers of America and as a board member for the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In addition, he served as chair of the American Cancer Society in New York for 14 years, as a director of the United Way of New York City for more than 18 years, and as a director of the Brain Trauma Foundation.

He received the Hall of Fame Award from the Diamond Industry Council and the Triple Zero Award from the American Gem Society. In 1999 he was inducted into the Retail Jewelers Hall of Fame.