About Tom Tivol

Tom Tivol is one of the most respected jewelers in the Kansas City area and a nationally acclaimed G.I.A. graduate gemologist, lecturer and teacher. Tom has been buying and selling diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls, and providing beautiful jewelry to clients around the United States for 35 years. Tom authored and teaches his course in Gemology and Appraisal Ethics in the School of Art and Design at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

Tom spent his early years in his family’s retail jewelry business, and served as its president from 1989-2004. During his tenure, Tivol achieved recognition as one of the finest jewelers in America. He was consistently called upon by the national media to issue opinions about trends in the jewelry industry and wrote many editorials for national trade publications. He lectured at national trade shows and was a frequent speaker at the prestigious international seminars held every five years by the Gemological Institute of America.

Tom Tivol

In 2004, Tom founded Tom Tivol Jewels.

“I built Tom Tivol Jewels just for me. I work with every client and accept responsibility for all aspects of my client’s jewelry requirements. It’s my love of teaching that defines the experience working with me, and this applies to all services and products that form the core of my work. Whether instructing couples about the proper way to purchase a diamond, defining the ultimate crimson color of the top grade of Burma ruby, or discussing a client’s expectations of how his antique pocket watch will perform once it is cleaned and oiled, I am teaching customers how to analyze and make correct decisions when purchasing and repairing gemstones and jewelry.”

The core products of Tom Tivol Jewels are diamond engagement rings, colored gemstones, classic and fashion cultured pearls, antique and estate jewelry, and custom designs. Services include repair of all jewelry and timepieces, multiple kinds of appraisals, restyling of old jewelry, selling old jewelry, and seminars provided to the community through a variety of private and public venues.

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  • Refining Precious Metals

    2012-02-17

    Like all services within the jewelry industry, the liquidation of precious metal jewelry should be undertaken by a professional, who explains the process and provides their commission before their examination or testing starts. Identifying the karat content of metal is not as easy as it seems. This is especially true when the merchant is asked to separate authentic gold and silver coins from coin-like stampings which have a pure gold overlay atop some kind of base metal or sterling silver.

  • Amethyst: February Birthstone

    2012-02-01

    We begin the lovely month of February with a look at its princely birthstone, the amethyst, symbol of royalty, tracing its heritage to the Minoan civilization in ancient Greece about 2500 B.C. This is a gemstone that has been highly prized by monarchs of many countries over countless centuries, even though it is one of the most affordable and commonly available stones. Historians have absolutely no idea why kings and queens have loved this stone. Everyone knows the legend, that if you drink wine from a cup carved of amethyst, then you will never be drunk. Could it be that this story alone accounts for amethyst's royal favor?

  • Garnet: January Birthstone

    2012-01-09

    I believe almost everyone has seen or knows a garnet ... that red or brownish red or pinkish red or brownish orange gemstone. All of this is true. But there is more, much much more. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the garnet family includes some of the most gorgeous gemstones in the entire world, and that includes almost every color imaginable.

  • Blue Topaz and Turquoise: December Birthstones

    2011-12-01

    Blue Topaz and Turquoise: Two "Blues" for a Joyous Month of Gift-Giving! Two "blues" define the official birthstones for December, despite the fact that this is one of the most joyous months of the year.

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