CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
GradingMay 11, 2014
Standard Chartered’s Anna Martin goes to GIA
The Gemological Institute of America has hired longtime industry leader and Standard Chartered Bank executive Anna Martin as its new senior vice president of global development.
Carlsbad, Calif.--The Gemological Institute of America has hired longtime industry leader and Standard Chartered Bank executive Anna Martin as its new senior vice president of global development.
Martin is slated to start her new job with the GIA on Sept. 2, working out of the organization’s New York office.
She joins the GIA after decades on the banking side of the jewelry industry, first with ABN Amro and then, beginning in 2008, at Standard Chartered Bank where she was the
managing director and head of global marketing for diamonds and jewelry.
As the GIA’s senior vice president of global development, she will be responsible for broadening the organization’s relationships with clients and stakeholders and overseeing its beneficiation efforts.
One of the most well-known and respected figures in the jewelry industry, Martin was on the GIA Board of Governors from 1997 to 2011 and has won numerous awards throughout her career.
She also serves on the boards of many industry organizations, including the Diamond Empowerment Fund, which supports programs around the world that benefit the people and communities where the diamond industry operates.
GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques said in a statement announcing Martin’s hire that she will help the organization as it aims to deepen its research program, add laboratory capacity and bring gemological education to more people around the world.
Martin said, “I am very excited to join GIA to help build on its history of excellence in research, education and laboratory services. There are so many opportunities for the gem and jewelry industry to do good in the world; I look forward to working with my new colleagues at GIA to seize these opportunities.”
Martin’s is the second high-profile addition in the area of beneficiation for the GIA in recent months. In May, the organization hired Brad Brooks-Rubin, the former special advisor on conflict diamonds with the U.S. State Department, as its global director of development and beneficiation, a new role within the organization.
RELATED CONTENT: GIA hires former State Dept. advisor for new role
The GIA also said Thursday that it has hired a new chief human resources officer, Rohit Tandon. Tandon joins the GIA from the nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation, where he oversaw programs in 34 countries that treated more than 30,000 patients.
He will be based at the GIA headquarters in Carlsbad beginning Aug. 18.
In addition, a number of key senior GIA executives were promoted: Chief Learning Officer Bev Hori, Chief Marketing Officer Kathryn Kimmel and Chief Financial Officer David Tearle have been named senior vice presidents.
Corporate counsel Jennifer Wilson also was promoted to vice president and elected corporate secretary at the organization’s Board of Governors meeting in May.
Martin is slated to start her new job with the GIA on Sept. 2, working out of the organization’s New York office.
She joins the GIA after decades on the banking side of the jewelry industry, first with ABN Amro and then, beginning in 2008, at Standard Chartered Bank where she was the
managing director and head of global marketing for diamonds and jewelry.
As the GIA’s senior vice president of global development, she will be responsible for broadening the organization’s relationships with clients and stakeholders and overseeing its beneficiation efforts.
One of the most well-known and respected figures in the jewelry industry, Martin was on the GIA Board of Governors from 1997 to 2011 and has won numerous awards throughout her career.
She also serves on the boards of many industry organizations, including the Diamond Empowerment Fund, which supports programs around the world that benefit the people and communities where the diamond industry operates.
GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques said in a statement announcing Martin’s hire that she will help the organization as it aims to deepen its research program, add laboratory capacity and bring gemological education to more people around the world.
Martin said, “I am very excited to join GIA to help build on its history of excellence in research, education and laboratory services. There are so many opportunities for the gem and jewelry industry to do good in the world; I look forward to working with my new colleagues at GIA to seize these opportunities.”
Martin’s is the second high-profile addition in the area of beneficiation for the GIA in recent months. In May, the organization hired Brad Brooks-Rubin, the former special advisor on conflict diamonds with the U.S. State Department, as its global director of development and beneficiation, a new role within the organization.
RELATED CONTENT: GIA hires former State Dept. advisor for new role
The GIA also said Thursday that it has hired a new chief human resources officer, Rohit Tandon. Tandon joins the GIA from the nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation, where he oversaw programs in 34 countries that treated more than 30,000 patients.
He will be based at the GIA headquarters in Carlsbad beginning Aug. 18.
In addition, a number of key senior GIA executives were promoted: Chief Learning Officer Bev Hori, Chief Marketing Officer Kathryn Kimmel and Chief Financial Officer David Tearle have been named senior vice presidents.
Corporate counsel Jennifer Wilson also was promoted to vice president and elected corporate secretary at the organization’s Board of Governors meeting in May.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
SourcingMar 21, 2025
BrankoGems To Hold Conference in MontanaThe event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.
TrendsMar 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marrow Fine’s ‘Til Death’ RingAfter the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.
IndependentsMar 20, 2025
Korman Fine Jewelry’s New Store Is Double the Size The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.
Events & AwardsMar 20, 2025
JCK Rocks to Feature Snoop Dogg, Jason DeruloThe rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.
TechnologyMar 20, 2025
Chris Ploof, Severine Ferrari Launch YouTube Video Series“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.
Lab-GrownMar 20, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond SectorAs lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.
FinancialsMar 19, 2025
Signet Jewelers to Close Stores, Cut Staff Amid Declining SalesThe moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.
