The Gemological Institute of America announced Nov. 9 that
Alice Keller, editor in chief of its quarterly scientific journal, Gems &
Gemology, will retire effective Jan. 1.

“I am extremely proud of the publications we have produced
and feel privileged to have worked with so many fine authors and editors over
the past three decades,” said Keller in a statement. “I am grateful for the
support GIA and the international gem and jewelry community have given G&G,
and am honored to have been its steward during these critical years in the
development of gemological research.”  

Keller was chosen by former G&G editor Richard T.
Liddicoat to oversee GIA’s flagship publication in 1980. She became its third
editor in chief, and her expertise was the pivotal force in developing G&G
into the premier professional journal of gemology.

“Alice has been the stalwart guardian of G&G for more
than 30 years and has left an indelible mark on GIA’s history and the
importance of gemological intelligence,” said GIA president and CEO Donna Baker
in a statement. “We are grateful for her valuable contributions and many years
of service to GIA and the gem and jewelry industry, so it is my pleasure to
name her editor emeritus of G&G.”

During her tenure, Keller expanded G&G to a
full-color, 8 1/2-by-11-inch publication. She also instituted a peer-review
system and established an editorial review board composed of distinguished
researchers, laboratory gemologists, and other members of the trade. She guided
G&G into the digital age with online access to the journal and the launch
of a e-newsletter, G&G eBrief, in 2009. She and her team also produced
three books—Synthetic Diamonds, Treated Diamonds, and Colored
Diamonds—compilations of G&G articles on the title topics.

Keller received GIA’s highest honor, the Richard T.
Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Service, in 2003. She also played an
important role in GIA’s International Gemological Symposiums as co-chair of the
1999 and 2006 events. She will remain a consultant co-chair of Symposium 2011,
which will be held May 29-30 as part of GIA’s 80th anniversary celebration.

Alice Keller

JCK