JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJC
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.

She was previously the director of membership and marketing at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, a role she held for more than 6 years.
“Taking on the role of head of North American development at the Responsible Jewellery Council is an exciting opportunity to make an impact. I am ready to build on my past experiences and, together with the RJC team, support meaningful change, leading our industry towards a more responsible and innovative future," said Jenkins-Pérez.
Alongside her new position with RJC, Jenkins-Pérez will continue as vice president and co-founder of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, as well as president of the Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) NY Metro chapter.
The RJC also announced that Effie Marinos has joined the organization as specialist advisor for technical standards.
Marinos brings more than 25 years of experience in social accountability and work in the sustainability field.
She has worked to improve audit quality, promote data sharing, and help improve supplier performance.
Marinos was a founding member of the SEDEX Associate Auditor Group (AAG), now known as the SEDEX Stakeholder Forum, where she was involved in developing the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) protocol as well as the associated Service Provider Supplement covering labor providers and other offsite working practices.
She also worked with the U.K.’s non-departmental public body dedicated to protecting vulnerable and exploited workers—the Gangmaster Licensing Authority, now called Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Marinos was involved in the development of GLAA’s approach to certifying labor providers under U.K. legislation.
She has also worked for SGS Group, where she spent more than 30 years, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Most recently, she was SGS’s global technical governance manager for responsible business services, where she headed the company’s global activities in relation to RJC certification services.
Marinos also worked on several chain of custody programs.
From 2015 to 2020, she chaired the Independent Governance Committee for Responsible Sourcing, a group established in January 2015 to provide oversight for the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Authority Rules for Risk Based Due Diligence in the Gold and Precious Metals Supply Chain.
“I am really excited to be working with RJC at this exciting time. We have a great opportunity to continue the drive for best sustainability practices in the jewelry industry and support our members to strengthen their processes to meet customer expectations,” said Marinos.
Marinos’ appointment comes as RJC is reviewing its existing standards and planning to add new standards on lab-grown material.
Additionally, RJC has promoted Yagmur Masmas from senior certification manager to general manager of membership and Samanphy Li from assistant certification manager to manager of certification.
As for new members, Clement Eleseshie Nyadroh will join the council as senior assurance coordinator, and Ruksar Mazar as membership application administrator.
“These are exciting times at the RJC as our members continue to grow and the team steps up in tandem. I’m so proud of the existing staff members who have worked hard and been promoted,” said RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant.
“I also look forward to working with our new experts Effie and Elyssa who bring a wealth of industry experience and talent.”
The Latest

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show


A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

The miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.