Tino Hammid, an ‘artist in the medium of light’

Renowned gem and jewelry photographer Tino Hammid died Saturday at the age of 63.Los Angeles--Tino Hammid, the gem photographer who got his start at the GIA more than 30 years ago and whose work appeared in a number of publications, died Saturday from cancer. He was 63 years old.

Hammid’s career photographing gems began at the Gemological Institute of America, where he served as the staff photographer from 1980 to 1982.

In 1983, he started his freelance career and established a long-lasting relationship providing photographs for Modern Jeweler’s monthly Gem Profile column. During this time, the two jointly won two Jesse H. Neal awards from the Association of Business Publishers.

“Tino's iconic photos for Gem Profile captured the unique individual personality of each stone. In a way, he taught us all a master class in gem appreciation each month. He was an artist in the medium of light,” said Cheryl Kremkow, director of Citrine Media, who used to work with him at Modern Jeweler.

Hammid also gained Christie’s as a client in 1987 and photographed more than 100 jewelry sales catalogues for the auction house throughout the years.

Over the span of his career, Hammid contributed hundreds of photographs to other publications and books, including the recent edition of Handbook of Gemmology. A number of his photographs also appear on his website.

Hammid was diagnosed with colon cancer a little less than two years ago, according to the memorial page created by his family. 

He is survived by his wife, Petra, and children Evelyn, Antonia and Tobias.

“Tino was skilled at interpreting gemologists’ needs and conveying gemological concepts through his beautiful photography,” said Dona Dirlam, director of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center. “Under the direction of Mike Waitzman, director of GIA’s Gem Media Department, he also produced images for courses that are still being used today.” 

Robert Weldon, GIA’s manager of photography and visual communications, added, “Tino’s photographs have a simplicity and beauty to them that come from hard work: attention to detail, perfection in lighting and just the right positioning of a gem. His photos are uncluttered, crisp, and honest; they are all about the gem. Dozens of photographers have sought to emulate his style, which, in a sense, has become the definition of excellence in a gemstone photograph.”