Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CRJC Partners with Kenyan Gem and Jewelry Suppliers
The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference and the Association of Women in Extractives Kenya will promote responsible practices and transparency in the gemstone industry.
Chicago—The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference takes place annually in the Windy City, but it hopes to create far-reaching, global changes in the jewelry industry.
The organization has announced a partnership with AWEIK, the Association of Women in Extractives Kenya, which produces the annual Kenya Gem and Jewellery Fair in Nairobi.
According to the CRJC, the two groups are collaborating to promote responsible practices and create a transparent supply chain in the Kenyan gem and mineral industry.
At the next Kenya Gem and Jewellery Fair, happening July 11-12 at the Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi, the CRJC will deliver a full day of programming for fairgoers on how to create shorter and more transparent supply chains.
CRJC founder Susan Wheeler will give presentations on how companies in Kenya and beyond can use responsible practices to connect with other likeminded companies around the globe, increasing business while minimizing negative impact from the gem and mineral trade.
Other speakers will be announced at a later date, the CRJC said.
AWEIK, which is an organization that focuses on connecting professional women in Kenya, will then send representatives to the next CRJ, happening Oct. 25-26, to speak at the conference and participate in the responsible gem fair that will precede it on Oct. 24.
The CRJC said that the partnership with AWEIK will help forge bonds across geographic and cultural distances.
It is looking for sponsors to help with the costs of bringing speakers from Kenya to the Chicago conference. More information is available online or by contacting Susan Wheeler directly at susan@susanwheelerdesign.com.
The Latest
In the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Co-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Along with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
DDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
Estimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
The highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
Recent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
Carrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
The competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
The high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.