<p><strong>KAREN SIMMONS</strong>, author of <em>Perfectly Clear</em>, forged her love of gems as a child and by her early twenties quickly discovered a bona fide talent for delivering “shine” and sustainability to client investment portfolios. Karen immediately dove into the fine gem business in 1976 and never looked back. A GIA Gemologist for thirty years, Karen travels the world to keep her ear to the gemstone “ground” in destinations such as Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil, Africa, and Sri Lanka. Karen is a member of the Diamond Bourse of Canada, which is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, and jewelry store proprietor for over three decades. She also provides investment seminars and buying trips for gem connoisseurs.</p><p>Karen is also an award-winning author of nine books, including <em>Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs </em>with co-authors Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, and is</p><p>an Independent Publishers Gold Medal award winner. A citizen of Canada and the United States, she also has a US based company, Exceptional Resources, Inc., specializing in promoting larger investment-quality white and colored diamonds to retailers and investors. Karen also offers co-branding opportunities for jewelers and jewelry trade organizations.</p><p>WHEN KAREN SPEAKS DIAMONDS, PEOPLE LISTEN</p>
