WJA Foundation to Air Documentary, Director Q&A on Gold Mining
“River of Gold” covers destructive and illegal gold mining in the Amazon.

On June 3, the WJA Foundation will host a free, private online screening of “River of Gold.”
The film shows how illegal gold mining creates “apocalyptic destruction” of the Amazon rainforest. The documentary’s trailer can be viewed online.
In addition to the foundation, Amazon Aid Foundation and Ethical Metalsmiths are presenting the film.
Afterward, the screening will turn to a livestream Q&A with “River of Gold” Co-Director Sarah duPont; WJA Foundation President Brandee Dallow; sustainable business strategist Christina Miller; and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and co-author of the book “Dirty Gold,” Nicholas Nehamas.
They’ll touch on mining in the Amazon, opportunities for responsible sourcing and how to create positive industry change.
The WJA Foundation was created as a separate charitable organization from WJA to promote education and business opportunities for women in the industry to reach their full potential. The foundation recently announced a specific Sustainability Education Fund.
“Our aim with ‘River of Gold’ is to show the impact of illicit and unregulated gold mining in order to inspire change,” she said.
“It’s only through a collaborative process with incredible organizations like WJA Foundation and Ethical Metalsmiths that industry transformation will happen. We are honored to present the film at this special event.”
Ethical Metalsmiths connects and educates buyers, jewelers, designers, and suppliers united by a desire for responsible sourcing opportunities. The organization will donate five copies of “Dirty Gold” to five film screening attendees.
Registration is free and can be done online.
WJA Executive Director Jennifer Markas commented, “WJA Foundation is pleased to kick-off our Responsible Sourcing and Sustainability Education Fund with a private free screening of ‘River of Gold.’
“We are thrilled to partner with leading organizations, including Amazon Aid Foundation and Ethical Metalsmiths, to provide WJA members with access to educational materials, insights and resources on responsible sourcing practices. A portion of donations from this event will go directly toward funding education scholarships to advance best practices in our industry.”
The Latest

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.


Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.