MajorsJul 02, 2024
Richemont Names New CEOs for Cartier, Van Cleef & ArpelsPolicies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
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.
Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (left) is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s new head of North American development, and Effie Marinos is its new specialist advisor for technical standards.
London—The Responsible Jewellery Council has named Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez as its new head of North American development.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
