GIA honours Susan Jacques with top achievement award

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has presented president and chief executive  Susan M. Jacques with its highest honour, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.

Jacques received the award in recognition of her leadership and long-standing contribution to the organisation and the wider gem and jewellery industry. 

The award was presented during the institute’s Board of Governors meeting in Carlsbad, California by GIA board chair Lisa Locklear and president and chief executive Pritesh Patel. 

Jacques, who stepped down as GIA’s sixth president and chief executive in August, is due to retire at the end of the year.

Since its establishment in 1994, the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement has been presented to just 14 individuals. 

Among the past recipients still contributing to GIA are analytical microscopist John Koivula, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer Tom Moses, and distinguished research fellow Dr James E. Shigley.

The board also recognised the service of retiring governor Barbara L. Dutrow, professor of geology at Louisiana State University, who joined the board in 2016.

Locklear said: “It is with great pride and admiration that we present the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement to Susan Jacques. A leader throughout her remarkable career, Susan has been the heart and soul of GIA.”

Patel added: “Susan’s vision, integrity, compassion and unwavering dedication have influenced GIA, the gem and jewellery industry, and everyone she has shared her time with. That positivity will resonate for years to come.”