Virtual Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference to Be Held Next Week
It features 14 sessions over two days, preceded by a Responsible Gem Fair buying event.

Jewelry designer Susan Wheeler launched the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference in 2017 to build awareness and knowledge as well as find solutions for more equitable and sustainable supply chains.
This year’s conference is slated for Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13.
The event features 30 speakers in 14 sessions, with presenters coming from such organizations as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Human Rights Watch, Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers Union, and the U.S. Department of Labor, among others.
Session highlights include the following.
-- “How to Elevate a Nation’s Gemstone Trade Through a Single Gemcut Design;”
-- “What is Currently Happening in the Supreme Court, Child Soldiery, and Laws Pertaining to the Jewelry Industry;”
-- “How the Jewelry Industry Funds Governments and their Militaries;”
-- “Sex Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence in Mines and Mining Communities;”
-- “Adaptations and Implementations of Craft Code in Artisanal Mining: Where Can Market Expectations and Artisanal Miners Meet?” and
-- “How Do Jewelers Form Partnerships to Create Positive Change? A Responsible Design Panel.”
There will also be a virtual Responsible Gem Fair taking place the day before the conference begins, on Thursday, Nov. 11. Gem suppliers focused on responsible mining and social impact will offer the trade the chance to hear their stories and buy stones directly from them.
All-access admission tickets to the 2021 Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference are $350. There are also student tickets available for $50 per day.
Additionally, to encourage involvement from all sectors, event organizers are offering a pay-what-you can ticket option.
For full session information about the 2021 event and to register, visit ChiResponsibleJewelryConference.com.
The Latest

The 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.

If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.

An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.

With over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.

The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.


GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.

The “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

























