Policies & IssuesMay 26, 2022
Barbara Wheat Named Executive Director of Ethical Metalsmiths Policies & IssuesJun 06, 2022
RJC Elects New Member Forum Representatives
The elections took place at the organization’s recent annual general meeting.
London—The Responsible Jewellery Council recently held elections for its member forum representatives, selecting five new directors and re-electing one.
Each director will represent his respective sector of the jewelry and watch supply chain.
The appointments are as follows:
— Raj Kumar Jain from Gemstones Corporation, representing the Diamonds and Gemstones Traders, Cutters and Polishers forum;
— Ankur Goyal from MMTC-PAMP, representing the Precious Metals traders, refiners and hedgers forum;
— Arien Gessner from Richline Group and Roger Forman from the Marathon Company, representing the Jewellery Manufacturer and/or Wholesaler forum;
— Pravin Pattni from Minar Jewellers, representing the Jewellery Retailer forum;
— Rajesh Neelakanta from BVC Logistics, representing the Service Industries forum (Neelakanta was re-elected); and
— Edward Asscher from the World Diamond Council, representing the Trade Association forum.
Related stories will be right here …
Each director will represent his respective sector of the jewelry and watch supply chain.
The appointments are as follows:
— Raj Kumar Jain from Gemstones Corporation, representing the Diamonds and Gemstones Traders, Cutters and Polishers forum;
— Ankur Goyal from MMTC-PAMP, representing the Precious Metals traders, refiners and hedgers forum;
— Arien Gessner from Richline Group and Roger Forman from the Marathon Company, representing the Jewellery Manufacturer and/or Wholesaler forum;
— Pravin Pattni from Minar Jewellers, representing the Jewellery Retailer forum;
— Rajesh Neelakanta from BVC Logistics, representing the Service Industries forum (Neelakanta was re-elected); and
— Edward Asscher from the World Diamond Council, representing the Trade Association forum.
While it elected new board members at its annual meeting, RJC remains without a permanent executive director following the exit of Iris Van der Veken in late March.
She resigned over the organization’s failure to take a strong stance regarding Russian diamonds and to suspend Alrosa’s membership in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A number of major players left the group as well, including Pandora, Richemont, Kering and Watches of Switzerland, though RJC confirmed that all the Richemont and Kering brands—a grouping that includes names like Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron—have returned.
John Hall, a former Rio Tinto executive and founding board member of RJC, stepped in as interim executive director in early April while Signet Jewelers Vice President of Corporate Affairs David Bouffard is serving his second term as RJC board chair.
An RJC spokesperson said the search for a permanent executive director is ongoing and noted there are some additional board vacancies the organization will be looking to fill “in due course.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
