It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Lynch, ASA, a highly respected jewelry appraiser, gemologist, and educator, who passed away on November 23, 2024, leaving to mourn family and friends.
In his professional life, Craig’s passion for gemstones and jewelry led him to an illustrious career as a certified gemologist. He received his Graduate Gemologist accreditation from the Gemological Institute of America in 1983, followed by his Accredited Senior Gemologist title in 1985.
For over 35 years, Craig owned and operated Ouellet and Lynch, an independent gem and jewelry appraisal firm in Phoenix, Arizona. His career was defined by a passion for gemstones and a remarkable ability to uncover the stories within the jewelry he appraised.
Craig served as the gemological consultant and appraiser for the renowned Somewhere in the Rainbow collection since 2008, collaborating on efforts to preserve and showcase some of the world’s most extraordinary gems. He also made significant contributions to the appraisal of historical and rare jewels, including serving as the appraiser for jewelry and watches recovered from the wreckage of the RMS Titanic in 2002.
His expertise extended to iconic gems like the 76-carat D-flawless “Archduke Joseph” diamond, which sold for $21 million at Christie’s Geneva in 2012. Over the years, he appraised items for prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, and the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Craig shared his knowledge widely, authoring the book Is That Really A Ruby? in 2010, contributing numerous articles, and appearing in more than 45 episodes of the PBS series Arizona Collectibles as the show’s gem and jewelry expert.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Donna Wilkinson Lynch; his son, Joshua Robert Lynch (Ariel Jensen), and their daughter, Iris, of Murray, Utah; and his daughter, Alexandria Elizabeth Jakeman (Shaun Jakeman), and their children, Lilyan, Elijah, Aiden, and Emma Jakeman, all of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
A funeral service to celebrate Craig’s life will be held on Monday, December 2nd, at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 214 W Grovers, Phoenix, Arizona, 85023.
Flowers or Donations may be sent to Sunland Memorial Park Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, Arizona 85351.
Craig’s obituary may be viewed here.