Policies & Issues

‘State of the Art Jewelry Summit’ To Be Held at Harvard

Policies & IssuesJun 14, 2023

‘State of the Art Jewelry Summit’ To Be Held at Harvard

The one-day event is a collaboration between RJC, GIA and the university’s Mineralogical and Geological Museum.

A red gemstone is examined during a 2012 GIA Laboratory Bangkok Field Expedition in Morogoro and Mahenge, Tanzania for ruby and spinel.
An image from a 2012 GIA Laboratory Bangkok field expedition in Morogoro and Mahenge, Tanzania for ruby and spinel. GIA is collaborating with RJC and Harvard University’s Mineralogical and Geological Museum for the upcoming State of the Art Jewelry Summit.
Boston—A new one-day event on responsible jewelry, the ‘State of the Art Jewelry Summit,’ will take place at Harvard University on June 23.

The event is the first collaboration between the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University (MGMH).

MGMH is a development-and-preservation-focused organization possessing collections of minerals, gems and jewelry, meteorites and Earth archival materials for research, education, and public display.

“I’m excited that the MGMH at Harvard University is hosting its first summit on responsible jewelry in collaboration with RJC and GIA,” said Raquel Alonso-Perez, curatrix at the MGMH.

“Our mission is to unite art, science and industry so that we might tackle the future together. Growth must be more than economic.”

The summit invites leaders from all sectors of the gem and jewelry industries to explore challenges, opportunities, and the future of responsible practice. The event centers around the collective future of the industry and ensuring it continues to thrive and stay relevant, said organizers.

Event hosts are Melanie Grant, RJC executive director, Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO, and Raquel Alonso-Perez.

Their welcome thoughts will be followed by keynote speaker Dan Schrag, professor of environmental science and engineering at Harvard.

Speakers include jeweler, artist and inventor Wallace Chan and President and CEO of Lucara Diamond, Eira Thomas.

On the schedule is a variety of panel discussions and presentations by global experts, academics and artists highlighting business, technology, political sciences, mining, research, education, and art, as well as the value and desire powering responsible jewelry.

Other topics to be covered include climate change and its implications on the supply chain, the business of technology and the evolution of consumer expectation, human rights, risk and conflict.

The full list of speakers and complete agenda is available on the event website.

Also at the event, RJC will launch its ESG toolkit, offering it free to all attendees. The guidelines are intended by the council to be “a blueprint for applying environmental, social and governance to jewelry businesses globally.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

The closing event will feature a discussion by members of the Young Diamantaires on the future of the industry from their perspective.

Following the summit, a cocktail reception will be held at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

The cost of the event is $495, and registration is open now. 

The Latest

Crime handcuffs
CrimeSep 20, 2024
Oregon Jeweler Sentenced to 20 Years for Stealing From, Defrauding Customers

The former owner of Timeless Jewelers in West Salem pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen counts of theft and aggravated theft.

Sally Morrison De Beers
SourcingSep 20, 2024
Sally Morrison Takes on Larger Role as De Beers Zeros In On Category Marketing

The company is poised to make a big push for natural diamonds this holiday season.

The Argyle Pink Quokka Statue and Necklace
CollectionsSep 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Quokka Covered in Argyle Pink Diamonds

Australian jeweler Linneys’ smiling gold Quokka statue holds a leaf pendant with Argyle pink diamonds that detaches, becoming a necklace.

How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024 2.0 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024

Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.

Stuller Fine Jewelry 2025-2026 Catalog
MajorsSep 20, 2024
Stuller Releases New Fine Jewelry Catalog

The 2025-2026 edition of “Fine Jewelry” includes 1,000 new styles with an expanded selection of lab-grown diamond jewelry.

Weekly QuizSep 19, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 19, 2024
Peter Smith: Is That All There Is? Have We Peaked?

Smith addresses fears about a plateaued market with a reminder that retailers who do it right always will have room to grow.

Bucherer New York City flagship
MajorsSep 19, 2024
Ira Melnitsky Leaves Tourneau/Bucherer After More Than a Decade

The executive, who was president and CEO of Bucherer USA, announced his departure via LinkedIn.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology Story

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.

Oscar Heyman bracelets Bonhams New York
AuctionsSep 19, 2024
Bonhams New York to Sell Jewelry from ‘Distinguished Collection’

The single-owner sale features 61 lots, including several Oscar Heyman pieces.

Jacquie Aiche’s Femme Bohème Campaign
CollectionsSep 19, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Celebrates Self-Expression

The brand also launched its “Femme Bohème” collection filled with colorful gemstones representing “Mother Nature’s finest creations.”

Liz Fraccaro
MajorsSep 19, 2024
JVC Names New Assistant Counsel

Liz Fraccaro, a former legal consultant at the Antiquities Coalition, is the newest member of the JVC team.

Paola De Luca at Vicenzaoro 2024
TrendsSep 18, 2024
When Selling Jewelry, Don’t Forget the Joy

Consumers today are looking for a little escape, and jewelry is the perfect avenue to provide it, presenters at the Vicenzaoro show said.

Cece Jewellery Extraordinary Lovers Campaign
CollectionsSep 18, 2024
Cece Jewellery Celebrates Love in New Collection

The “Extraordinary Lovers” collection features engagement rings with enamel scenes inspired by art and mythology.

Luminaries by Couture
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
Couture DAC Opens Applications for Next Class of Mentees

BIPOC designers can apply for a spot in the mentorship program’s third cohort until Oct. 8.

Vhernier Calla necklace
MajorsSep 18, 2024
Richemont Shuffles Leadership at Vhernier

The luxury giant recently completed its acquisition of the Italian jewelry brand.

Teresa Wergedal, Leah Walshak, and Amy Condor
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
JA Announces Three Bench Scholarship Winners

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.

Reese Witherspoon, Tyler James Williams, and Aja Naomi King at the 2024 Emmys
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the Emmys

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

20240917_GIA pearl header.jpg
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl Reports

The lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify

Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.

Issa Rae Cast Jewelry collection
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With Cast

The actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.

1094 rough diamond from Karowe Mine in Botswana
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find

The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading Customs

Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.

Boucheron’s Madison Avenue storefront and interior
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York City

The new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.

Gübelin lab Bangkok
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in Bangkok

The company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.

JA Multifaceted Learning Workshop
Events & AwardsSep 16, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New York

Its next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.

Taylor Swift VMAs 2024
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs Looks

The artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.

Breitling NFL watches for AFC North Conference
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL

The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy