‘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.

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.”
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

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.