Events & AwardsJun 12, 2023
AGS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2024 ConclavePolicies & 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.
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 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.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
