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
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
