Kimberly Collins graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Hotel and Restaurant Management, hoping to make a strong career out of helping and serving others. She spent a few years working in the fast paced environment of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, Collins couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more out there in the world for her.

In 1996, with the loving encouragement of her father, she jumped at the opportunity to live in Nairobi with a close family friend who was in the gemstone business. It seemed like something right up her alley as she always had an eye for color and style partially thanks to her mother, a professional artist.

During her several months in Nairobi and Arusha, Kimberly spent time learning all about Tanzanite, Tsavorite Garnet, Rhodolite Garnet, and an abundance of other East African gemstones. She also learned priceless lessons on trading in the gemstone industry and the realities of work in third world countries. What seemed like a random but welcomed experience ended up paving the way for a lifelong passion and a trailblazing career.

While navigating her way through the male dominated colored gemstone industry, Collins has also spent over a decade navigating single motherhood. Anybody who knows her knows that her two loves in life are her sons and her gems.

As time has gone on and her sons have grown, her focus has shifted to include a new priority: Non-profit work through the American Gem Trade Association where she currently serves as President of the Board of Directors. Notably, Collins is also an active member of both the American Gem Society and the Women’s Jewelry Association.

After nearly 3 decades in this ever changing industry, Kimberly Collins has stood by one true mission: To promote the beauty, rarity, and uniqueness of natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls while maintaining responsibility within the supply chain and keeping the best mining practices in mind. It is a strong belief of hers that trusting the people you work with within the supply chain is of utmost importance and that knowing that there is accountability from start to finish.