One of the pillars of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is retiring after 29 years of dedicated service to the institute and its mission to protect consumers, leaving behind a remarkable and enduring legacy.

Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of GIA, is leaving her post on August 30, according to GIA. 

“Kathryn opened doors and created opportunities in the gem and jewellery industry for so many women and men,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO. “Her pioneering spirit and tenacity established the annual GIA Jewelry Career Fairs for GIA students and for tens of thousands of industry professionals looking for knowledge, development and advancement within the industry. Millions of consumers across the world have confidence in their purchases because she had the insight and drive to reach them with independent, credible and research-based knowledge about diamonds, coloured stones and pearls.” 

Kimmel played a key role in shaping the institute’s domestic and international marketing, public relations and communications outreach efforts. She steered the launch of GIA’s digital presence with consumer- and trade-focused websites designed to offer valuable, dynamic and interactive content. Her most visible achievement was developing the institute’s ongoing consumer outreach campaign to help consumers understand the 4Cs of Diamond Quality and the importance of GIA’s independent gem identification and grading reports to trust their purchases. 

“Kathryn’s expertise, guidance and unerring dedication to GIA’s mission helped to make our Institute what it is today,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.

She also bridged the gap between the trade’s need for new talent and the ambition of GIA graduates and other aspiring professionals by founding the GIA Jewelry Career Fair in 1991, which has expanded in the last 28 years to Carlsbad, India, Las Vegas, London and New York. That same year, Kimmel became the co-chair of GIA’s International Gemological Symposium and was the driving force behind six Symposia since, including the most recent one in October 2018 in Carlsbad.

“My heart will forever be with the students – seeing them study at GIA, coming to GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair and becoming industry leaders has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said Kimmel.

Kimmel won broad acclaim for her many contributions to the industry. She received the YWCA’s Tribute to Women and Industry award, the AGS Distinguished Service Award, the GIA Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement, the 24 Karat Club Excellence in Service Award, the WJA Award for Excellence in Promotion and the AGS Triple Zero Award. She is also a member of the WJA Hall of Fame.

As a third-generation member of the jewellery industry, Kimmel acquired a broad range of experience in many of its areas, working in retail, as managing director of Anthony Geml Jewelers in Southern California; and in manufacturing, as customer service manager and later as vice president of marketing and sales for Nova Stylings, the award-winning design and manufacturing company. She is a founding member and served on the national board of the Women’s Jewelry Association for 20 years and is past president of the Los Angeles Chapter. She also served on the national board of the Jewelry Industry Council and the board of the 24 Karat Club of Southern California.