MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
SourcingAug 11, 2017
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Slated for October
The two-day event will provide education and tools for people in all areas of the industry to learn how they can be involved in the movement.
Chicago--A new event, the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, is set to take place at Columbia College in downtown Chicago this fall.
Slated for Oct. 13 and 14, it will provide education and tools for jewelers, suppliers, educators, students and consumers, teaching attendees how to be more active in ensuring that the jewelry they make, sell and buy meets higher standards for social and ecological well-being across the world.
The conference will be emceed and moderated by Andrea Hill, owner of Hill Management Group.
The speaker lineup includes the following:
--Toby Pomeroy, who helped bring ethical gold to the forefront through his close work with Hoover & Strong;
--Stewart Grice, Hoover & Strong’s vice president of mill and refining and a top material science expert;
--Christina Miller, co-founder of Ethical Metalsmiths;
--Monica Stephenson, owner of Anza Gems and writer and publisher of the jewelry industry blog iDazzle;
--Eric Braunwart, owner of Columbia Gem House and a pioneer in sourcing colored gemstones ethically;
--Elizabeth Orlando with the U.S. Department of State;
--Patricia Syvrud of Jòia Consulting;
--Cristina M. Villegas, senior program officer at Pact World’s Mines to Market; and
--Orin Mazzoni, producer of the mine-to-market documentary “Sharing the Rough.”
In addition to two days of information sessions, the conference will host a screening of Mazzoni’s documentary, open to all conference attendees and members of the public.
Susan Wheeler, of Susan Wheeler Design, initiated The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference. She is a member of Ethical Metalsmiths and serves on several committees for the Jewelry Industry Summit, a responsible sourcing conference that’s in its second year.
The Chicago conference is being held in collaboration with Ethical Metalsmiths, which will host an online auction of jewelry on Monday to raise additional funds for the conference.
It also is being sponsored by MJSA, with more sponsorships to come.
Tickets are $200 until Sept. 15 (not including tickets to the film screening). After that, the price increases to $300. Students can get discounted tickets (with a student ID) for $100.
For more information or to register, visit ChiResponsibleJewelryConference.com.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
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.
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 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.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
