By: Cecilia Gardner, Chair, Board of Directors, Jewelry Industry Summit Several members of the Jewelry Industry Summit community were invited to present as panelists and attend this State Department sponsored day-long session on August 8, 2019. Focused on the jewelry supply chain, nearly 100 members of the jewelry industry participated in the conference which included...Continue Reading
“…a testament to the power of partnerships across continents and throughout the jewelry industry supply chain, working towards a more equitable and sustainable jewelry landscape.” By: Susan Wheeler, Founder: Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference; Board Member: Jewelry Industry Summit On 12 July, 2019, Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJC) founder Susan Wheeler was invited to host the second...Continue Reading
Last fall, at the Jewelry Industry Summit mini-event in Los Angeles, Cristina Villegas of Pact presented on Pact’s collaboration with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This partnership focused on increasing women gem miners’ ability to earn in Tanzania through gemstone education, resulting in dramatic increases in their sales power. This mining group – like...Continue Reading
In late April, representatives from government, business, trade organizations, and civil society gathered at the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development in Paris for the 13th Forum on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains. As a first-time attendee of this meeting, it was a phenomenal opportunity to meet stakeholders from around the globe and discuss the implementation...Continue Reading
In 2015, a number of the world’s leading luxury jewelry brands and gemstone mining companies came together to form the Colored Gemstone Working Group (CGWG): Tiffany & Co., Swarovski, Richemont, Muzo Companies, LVMH, Kering, and Gemfields. The group is facilitated by The Dragonfly Initiative, a sustainability management consulting business specializing in the jewelry industry. This...Continue Reading
The industry has long faced real challenges regarding the nature of the colored gemstone supply chain. The simple truth that we all know is that many third world countries where mining occurs struggle to cope with issues of working conditions, disease, child labor, and more. There is great disparity of wealth in the colored stone...Continue Reading
In December 2009, the RJC formally launched its certification system for responsible business practices in the diamond, gold and/or platinum group metals jewelry supply chain. Through this system, members are certified against the Code of Practices (COP), following an independent, third party audit to verify conformance. Certification is granted for three years if no major...Continue Reading
