IAC Gold and Diamond Conference Returns to NYC

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Lauren McLemore lauren.mclemore@nationaljeweler.com

A calligraphy sculptural ring made in 18-karat Fairtrade gold (Photo by: Jamie Trounce)

IAC’s 15th Annual International Gold and Diamond Conference will take place at New York City’s Bohemian National Hall next week.

New York—The Initiatives in Art and Culture (IAC) will present its 15th Annual International Gold and Diamond Conference in New York City next week from July 14-16.

The event will address the complex, interconnected global challenges, such as climate change, gender inequality, and the socio-economic realities of mining communities, that shape our world and demand collaborative, innovative solutions, organizers said.

This year’s theme "Eye on the Prize: Towards Continuing Improvement in Practice and Artistry" aims to examine how the jewelry industry can evolve with greater transparency, responsibility, and creativity.

The conference will take place at Bohemian National Hall on the Upper East Side.

A welcome reception will be held on July 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by Heritage Auctions at its New York headquarters located at 445 Park Avenue.

Central topics of the conference include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries, discussed through presentations such as “Understanding Climate Justice & Just Transition” and “How Can Producing Countries Retain Greater Value In-Country?”

Other discussion topics include climate justice, sustainable sourcing, traceability, nomenclature, and cultural restitution.

The lineup of speakers includes:
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, director of the Manhyia Palace Museum and Ghana’s chief negotiator on cultural restitution;
Charlie Betts of Betts Metals;
Rachel Brandrick of 886 by The Royal Mint;
Brad Brooks-Rubin, partner at Arktouros and former U.S. State Department advisor;
Laurent E. Cartier, head of special initiatives at the Swiss Gemmological Institute and co-founder of Sustainable Pearls;
Emefa Cole, jeweler and curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London;
Nicolas Luchsinger, CEO of Buccellati;
John Mulligan, head of sustainability at the World Gold Council and president of the sustainable development commission at the World Jewellery Confederation;
Lucian Simmons, head of provenance research at The Metropolitan Museum of Art; and more than two dozen additional speakers.

“The diversity of perspectives brought together at IAC’s conference is matched only by the complexity of the challenges we face—and yet within that complexity lies real opportunity to shape something better,” said John Mulligan.

A dedicated awards ceremony and reception will be held July 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Responsible Practice in Jewelry Leadership Award will be presented to artist-jeweler Ute Decker.

Decker is recognized for her advocacy of environmental stewardship, fairness in materials sourcing, and the importance of transparency and ethics in the creative process, said IAC.

Her work exemplifies “a synthesis of aesthetic mastery and ethical resolve, offering a model for what contemporary jewelry can and should stand for,” conference organizers said.

The Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Diamond and Jewelry Industries will go to David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, in recognition of his transformative work in diamond traceability and transparency.

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For more than a decade, IAC’s Gold and Diamond Conference has served as a forum for exploring authenticity, responsible sourcing, sustainability, and ethical practice across the jewelry supply chain, focusing on the practicalities of driving positive change in both mining and jewelry sectors.

“Since 2011, Initiatives in Art & Culture has been organizing conferences that provide a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion, debate, and collaboration regarding critical issues in the jewelry, and precious metals and stones sectors,” said IAC Founder and President Lisa Koenigsberg.

“The aim is to engender new thinking, innovative approaches, fruitful partnerships, and initiatives in support of responsible practice writ large while championing artisanry and creative vision at the highest levels.”

During a moment of “extraordinary industry transformation” marked by geopolitical tensions, climate crises, technological advancement, and shifting consumer values, IAC said this year’s event renews its call for shared purpose and collective responsibility by focusing on safeguarding the planet, protecting human rights, and preserving the artistry and cultural traditions that define our humanity.

“The conference is a unique event that gathers diverse stakeholders from across gold and diamond value chains,” said Rachel Perks, senior mining specialist in the energy and extractives global practice at World Bank.

“Every year I’m inspired by the remarkable talent and wealth of cumulative knowledge present in the room. For us at the World Bank’s Extractives Unit, focused on artisanal and small-scale mining, this conference offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with key changemakers we might otherwise never meet.”

Corresponding with the conference is the debut of “Future,” a new mentoring initiative led by jewelry designers Bliss Lau and Lorraine West.

Through the program, young, emerging artists will be selected to attend the conference for “a transformative one-on-one mentorship experience” with Lau and West, offering mentees the opportunity to learn from experts, build relationships, and expand their knowledge. Mentee applications have now closed.

The debut of Future deepens IAC's mission to educate, inspire, and connect across industries—shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for jewelry, design, and the planet, said IAC.

Conference registration is open now on Eventbrite.

To learn more about Initiatives in Art and Culture, or view the full list of speakers, visit the IAC website, call 646-485-1952, or email info@artinitatives.com.