CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2014
EPA deals another blow to Alaska mine plan
The EPA said that constructing a copper and gold mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay would produce enough waste to fill at least 880 football stadiums and have “unacceptable” adverse impacts on the ecosystem.
Bristol Bay supports the world’s largest runs of sockeye salmon, producing about half of the world supply of this fish. No hatchery fish are raised or released there; all the salmon caught by the bay’s fishermen are wild. Photo credit: Ben
Washington--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that constructing a huge open-pit mine at the headwaters of Alaska’s Bristol Bay would produce enough waste to fill at least 880 football stadiums and have “unacceptable” adverse impacts on the eco-system.
The administrator for Seattle-based Region 10 of the EPA made these statements in a Proposed Determination on the Pebble mine that came out Friday. The agency published the report following its decision in February to invoke its authority under the Clean Water Act, or CWA, to take a closer look at the project, which would be North America’s largest open-pit copper and gold mine.
RELATED CONTENT: Pebble mine plans on hold after EPA action
Invoked only 13 times in its 42-year history, the CWA allows the EPA to prohibit, restrict or flat-out deny the use of any defined area in U.S. waters as a disposal site if it determines that the discharge of material into those waters would harm fishery areas.
In its determination, the EPA regional administrator said construction of a mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay would result in loss of streams, wetlands, lakes and ponds and/or result in streamflow alterations. The administrator proposed the EPA “restrict the discharge of dredged or fill material related to mining the Pebble deposit into the waters of the U.S.”
Bonnie Gestring of environmental group Earthworks, who has been working to stop the Pebble project for a decade, said while the EPA’s determination on dumping in the case won’t block construction of the mine entirely, it is hard to conceive how the mine could operate with these type of disposal restrictions in place.
Northern Dynasty Minerals, the sole company still seeking to develop the Pebble mine, has a federal lawsuit pending that seeks to halt the EPA’s use of the CWA in the case, claiming the agency overstepped its authority by enacting the CWA to examine Pebble.
In a statement released Friday, Pebble Partnership CEO Tom Collier said they fully intend to continue their litigation against the EPA in order to "halt the preemptive and unprecedented regulatory process ... and invalidate the conditions proposed by EPA Region 10."
Pebble Partnership is owned by Northern Dynasty.
RELATED CONTENT: BJ’s signs Pebble pledge, mine remains in limbo
Meanwhile, mine opponents, which include more than 100 jewelers and retailers who sell fine jewelry, said the EPA’s ruling was yet another victory for their side.
“We applaud the EPA for taking this vital next step under the Clean Water Act to safeguard Bristol Bay and the communities and fishery it supports,” said Mike Kowalski, chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co., one of the many retailers that has pledged never to source gold from Pebble if it is constructed.
The next step in the CWA process is for the regional EPA to solicit and review public comments, which it is doing now through Sept. 19 on its website, and develop a final determination on limiting waste disposal from the mine, which it will then take to EPA headquarters in Washington.
After another consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an EPA official in Washington will make the final call on any prohibitions or restrictions on mining the Pebble deposit.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHoCreative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
