PERSPECTIVE 精辟视野 14 | JNA November/December 2025 For nearly a century, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has upheld consumer trust in the gem and jewellery industry through robust scientific research, which underpins its education, laboratory and instrumentation services. Industry trailblazer Susan Jacques directed its course as president and CEO from January 1, 2014 to August 4, 2025, navigating GIA through the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical forces and evolving consumer preferences. When she revealed early this year her intention to retire by year's end, a global search ensued to find her successor. GIA eventually promoted from within. In June, the institute announced that its Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Pritesh Patel, who first joined in 2015 as chief information officer, would become president and CEO from August 4. Patel now steers it towards its centennial in 2031, with Jacques staying on as strategic advisor till the end of 2025. Legacy of leadership In a chat with JNA, Jacques said she was looking forward to retirement but had mixed emotions about leaving the trade after 45 years, including 12 with GIA and 20 as president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts. When Jacques took over at GIA in 2014, the institute was experiencing significant growth in diamond intake and expanded rapidly. While this led to a challenging hyper-hiring phase, she seized the opportunity to provide more services to clients, fulfilling GIA’s mission of consumer protection. “Managing through Covid has obviously been very difficult. But in 2021, we had an exceptional year, as most in the industry did,” Jacques recalled. “And then the downturn, geopolitical issues and disruption with lab-grown diamonds certainly brought about some difficulties, but we have a passionate, committed team and managed to work through those.” Jacques believes the best days of the gem and jewellery industry still lie ahead. Extensive opportunities exist for | Olivia Quiniquini 程爱莉 | Now under new leadership, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) continues its mission to safeguard consumer confidence while building a future anchored in science and powered by technology. 在GIA美国宝石研究院新领导层的带领下，该机构持续实践其 使命：在守护消费者信心的同时，构建一个立足科学、驱动技术发展的未来。 GIA领导层换届 GIA Changing of the guard at Gemological Institute of America Strategic Advisor Susan Jacques and President & CEO Pritesh Patel GIA美国宝石研究院战略顾问苏珊·雅克(Susan Jacques)与总裁兼首席执行官普利特希·帕特尔(Pritesh Patel)
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