Randy Lightfoot earned his B.A. in the Geological Sciences from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL in 2013 with an emphasis on volcanology, igneous petrology and mineralogy. Mr. Lightfoot’s career has been spent largely studying the use of standard screening methods to identify clues to diamond origin, photomicrography of gem inclusions, and jewelry appraising methodology.
Randy was a diamond grader and volunteer diamond grading trainer for the GIA in NYC and is currently employed by Mayflower Estate Buyers & Consulting in Towson, MD as a gemologist-appraiser. Aside from his numerous speaking engagements with the AGS and co-authored Spectra article titled
Cross Polarized Filters as a Clue to Diamond Origin in Issue 2 of 2022, Mr. Lightfoot’s work can be found in three co-authored works with Branko Deljanin of Branko Gems – Gemological Research Industries, which include:
- CPF (Cross Polarized Filters) Technique for Screening & ID of Diamonds: Natural, Lab-grown & Post-Growth Treated a research poster
- Identifying Diamond Types and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds with CPF (Cross-polarized Filters) a booklet
- ID of Blue Gems with Portable Instruments a booklet
Randy is also a regular columnist for the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) quarterly newsletter, sits on several committees with the AGS, volunteers for The Appraisal Foundation’s Personal Property Resource Panel (PPRP), and won Gem-A’s 2023 Photographer of the Year award.
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