About Kim Rix: media bio
Kim Rix & Gemstone Detective: An Origin Story of Purpose and Ethical Sourcing
From a distinguished corporate career as a PA to board-level CEOs and pioneering the innovative social events business, the SaVVy Club (which caught the attention of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire), Kim Rix's path was one of early entrepreneurial success. However, a pivotal and disillusioning experience during a vacation in Egypt, where she was sold a fake ruby, reshaped her trajectory entirely. This moment of deception ignited a passionate resolve to master the world of gemstones and protect others from similar experiences.
At the age of 47, Kim made the bold decision to retrain, undertaking intensive full-time study at the prestigious Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). It was here, inspired by world-renowned field gemmologist Vincent Pardieu, that she discovered her true calling: to go beyond the classroom and lab, to the source. Driven by this new purpose, Kim re-mortgaged her home, embarked on solo global expeditions to mines, met miners, and meticulously documented the journey of gemstones from the earth to the market.
This immersive fieldwork and dedication culminated in the creation of the ground-breaking "Gemstone Detective" travel series—eight published books designed to empower travellers and collectors to buy gemstones ethically and with confidence.
Her commitment to transparency and ethical practices has earned Gemstone Detective prestigious accolades, including the LUXLife Travel & Tourism Award for Best Ethical Gemstone Tourism Enterprise 2025 and the LUXLife Perfect Gift Award for Best Bespoke Gemstone Sourcing Specialist 2025.
Kim's story is a testament to resilience, the pursuit of passion at any age, and a commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
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Talking points
Being a female solo traveller: Kim travelled solo 4444kms around the Outback of Australia to research the opals shows for the book. Also for book research, Kim travelled solo around USA, India, Thailand and Great Britain.
Adoption: Kim was adopted into a multicultural family when she was 6 weeks old.
Going down gem mines: Kim has experienced what it is like underground, inside a gem mine in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Australia. Other open-pit gem mines Kim has visited include: Mogok (Myanmar), South Africa, Thailand and USA.
Essential tips for buying gemstones & jewellery around the world: having travelled to each of the countries covered in the book series, Kim has first-hand knowledge of the gem trade.
Caring for your jewellery: many gemstones need special care to prevent them from being ruined. Kim shares her best jewellery care tips.
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Kim's promotional activities
May 2025 - LUXLife The Perfect Gift Awards 2025. Gemstone Detective awarded:
🏆Best Bespoke Gemstone Sourcing Specialist 2025 - UK
April 2025 - Kim was interviewed by Marian Ardelean of Quite Peckish Podcast show.
January 2025 - LUXLife Travel and Tourism Awards 2025 Gemstone Detective awarded:
🏆Best Ethical Gemstone Tourism Enterprise 2025
December 2024 - Secrets Behind The Sparkle podcast launched by Kim Rix.
December 2024 - Kim was interviewed by Michelle Hands of 'Who Dares Wins' podcast show
November 2024 - Kim gave three live talks about Gemstone Hunting at the London Gem & Mineral Show.
November 2024 - Kim gave a virtual talk titled "Tanzania's Mining Landscape", hosted by the Goldsmiths Centre
November 2023 - Kim Rix travelled to Kelvin College in Glasgow to speak to the Jewellery students about her travels and findings.
November 2023 - Kim Rix was interviewed by Hello Magazine.
October 2023 - Kim Rix was interviewed by Glamour Magazine about her recent trip to Tanzania to research her family heritage.
September 2023 - Gemmology Today magazine (World Gem Foundation) featured Gemstone Detective in Tanzania.
May 2023 - Gem expert, Kim Rix, was quoted in a BBC article titled "The dazzling crown that will make a King".
Autumn 2021 - Speaker at the SGA (Scottish Gemmological Association) Autumn Symposium - Buying Gemstones in Myanmar (Burma).
July 2021 - Guest speaker at Gem-A North West (Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Online talk titled "The Highlights and Pitfalls of Gemstone Tourism'
May 2019 - Kim Rix featured in Female First magazine - Seven Things You Never Knew About Gemstones
December 2020 - Interviewed by David Brough of Jewellery Outlook, Gemstone Detective is featured in Jewellery Connoisseur by Rapaport
Kim Rix is a regular contributor to Gemmology Today magazine, issued by the World Gem Foundation.
November 2020 – Gave a (virtual) talk and presentation to the GIA Alumni worldwide.
October 2020 – Was a (virtual) speaker at the Inaugural Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair in Australia
October 2020🏆Awarded Portrait Photographer of the Year by 2020 UK Enterprise Awards hosted by SME-News.
September 2020 - Interviewed by David Brough, Jewellery Outlook (podcast)
February 2020 – Presentation: Investing in Gemstones - Kim Rix was a guest speaker on stage at a Kevin Green wealth event (audience 350 people)
July 2019 – Guest speaker at the Globe Trotters Club in London UK about her book travels. (audience 100 travellers)
June 2019 - Interviewed by The Jewellery Editor and featured online.
July 2018 - Interviewed about Gemstone Detective on Outback Radio, Lightning Ridge, Australia
2018 - Gemstone Detective was featured in fiftyandfab lifestyle blog
2018 - Gemstone Detective was featured on Over Forty and Mum to One blog
October 2018 - Gemstone Detective was featured in Travelmag blog
October 2018 - Gemstone Detective was featured in Jewellery Outlook
