MajorsMar 12, 2024
Steve Webb Named EVP of The Gordon CompanyMajorsMar 13, 2024
Richline’s Dave Meleski Takes Over as RJC Chair
He succeeds David Bouffard, who is leaving Signet and the RJC next month.
The Responsible Jewellery Council has elected Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, as its new chair.
London—The Responsible Jewellery Council has elected a new chair.
Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, has stepped into the role, succeeding former Chair David Bouffard of Signet Jewelers, who is stepping down from his positions at both RJC and Signet in April.
Elected in 2018, Bouffard served two three-year terms as RJC chair.
Both Signet and Richline were founding members of the organization.
“I am excited to follow David Bouffard as chair and thank him for his leadership these past six years. I look forward to working with our entire board of directors to push the RJC to even greater reach in my term as chair,” said Meleski.
“It is a critical time for the RJC to continue to grow and lead the global supply chain in setting standards for our industry.”
Richline, he said, has worked to “promote the importance of the RJC as our singular voice for compliance standards since its inception.”
Related stories will be right here …
Dave Meleski, president and CEO of Richline Group, has stepped into the role, succeeding former Chair David Bouffard of Signet Jewelers, who is stepping down from his positions at both RJC and Signet in April.
Elected in 2018, Bouffard served two three-year terms as RJC chair.
Both Signet and Richline were founding members of the organization.
“I am excited to follow David Bouffard as chair and thank him for his leadership these past six years. I look forward to working with our entire board of directors to push the RJC to even greater reach in my term as chair,” said Meleski.
“It is a critical time for the RJC to continue to grow and lead the global supply chain in setting standards for our industry.”
Richline, he said, has worked to “promote the importance of the RJC as our singular voice for compliance standards since its inception.”
Bouffard, who also serves as Signet’s fellow of industry affairs, reflected on his time as RJC chair.
“It has been an honor to serve as the chair of the RJC for six years, a truly challenging yet rewarding experience of a lifetime, especially representing Signet, one of the RJC’s founding members,” he said.
Over the last 20 years, he said, companies like Signet and Richline have helped RJC to grow from the 14 founding members to its current membership of more than 1,800.
Melanie Grant, executive director of RJC, shared her gratitude to Bouffard.
“Thanks to David for providing great wisdom and support as chair during my first year as executive director,” she said. “I’ll be sad to see him go but excited at the prospect of this new era under Dave’s leadership as the RJC goes from strength to strength.”
Grant will report directly to Meleski while Edward Asscher will remain vice chair of the RJC.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
