Richard Drucker is the president of Gemworld International, Inc. in Northbrook, Illinois. As a third generation jeweler, he entered the business in 1979. In 1982 he began a pricing publication now known as The GemGuide. The GemGuide is used in more than 20 countries. Drucker now serves as publisher, appraiser, consultant, lecturer, and author. In 2006 he was bestowed the Antonio C. Bonanno Excellence in Gemology industry award.
In 1999, he co-founded the Jewelry Judge licensing program for appraisers. This business created an innovative association of jewelry appraisal professionals in the United States and Canada all providing appraisals under the Jewelry Judge name. He currently serves as an advisor to this program. In 2002 he became the owner and licensing distributor for GemGuide Appraisal Software, a sophisticated program used by more than 700 jewelry appraisers. In 2004 he opened a diamond grading laboratory analyzing light performance and cut grading.
In 1993, Mr. Drucker was elected as the first Chairman of the Gemological Institute of America Alumni & Associates International Board of Governors. He continued as Chair of the Alumni Executive Council through 2000 and received an Alumni Leadership Award for exemplary service in this role. He now continues his work as ex-officio on the GIA Alumni Executive Committee. He was a past president of the Illinois-Wisconsin chapter from 1987-1991.
Mr. Drucker has lectured for many organizations throughout the world including the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, American Society of Appraisers, International Society of Appraisers, American Gem Trade Association, Accredited Gemologists Association, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, American Gem Society, Canadian Gemmological Association, Scottish Gemmological Association, and the National Association of Goldsmiths (United Kingdom). He has been an integral part of many court cases including work for the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Postal Inspector, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Custom Service.
Mr. Drucker's credentials include being a graduate gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America, a senior member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, a Registered Master Valuer #461802, and a member of the Accredited Gemologists Association of which he is also currently the Vice President.
Certificates of Merit/Achievement from: Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, Accredited Gemologists Association, International Society of Appraisers, Jewelers Education Foundation, American Society of Appraisers.
Editor and Publisher: The Guide, 1982-present
Contributing Editor Gemstone/Marketing: Jewelers’ Circular Keystone magazine, 1998-present
Publisher: Photo Masters for Diamond Grading, 1994 Visual Optics, 1995 Wonders within Gemstones, 1996 The Jeweler’s Guide to Effective Insurance Appraising, 1996 Visual Optics II, 1999 The MicroWorld of Diamonds, 2000
Professional Associations and Affiliations: Accredited Gemologists Association Vice President (Current) Past Regional Governor
National Association of Jewelry Appraisers Senior Appraiser
Registered Master Valuer
Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association
American Gem Trade Association Associate Member Executive Committee Member
American Gem Society Sustaining Firm Member
He can be reached at rdrucker@gemguide.com