Sponsored by Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd.
Search
![American Gem Society Conclave logo 2024](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c0c54c1df9feb60a527bf269682fadef.jpg)
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
![Bernadette Mack, who previously served as executive director of the WJA, has been hired as managing director of nonprofit Mercury Free Mining. Bernadette Mack](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4459883ef2cd456e20404e7c89093c59.jpg)
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
![Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos (left), CFO Joan Hilson, and Group President and Chief Consumer Officer Jamie Singleton are seen here with a factory employee during a recent trip to Botswana. Gina Drosos, Joan Hilson, and Jamie Singleton](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a7ba3daf040dfef89885f0b02948bc6c.jpg)
Drosos shared her top takeaways from a recent Botswana trip and her insights into the natural diamond market.
![U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently issued new guidance on importing diamonds into the United States under the current Russian diamond ban. U.S. Customs and Border Protection logo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/13d023e669f70d9b1ba5e41cfb1507c9.jpg)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released new guidance as the G7’s effort to restrict the circulation of Russian diamonds ramps up.
![Pure Earth will present the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award to Iris Van der Veken, secretary general of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, at a ceremony in New York City this fall. Iris Van der Veken](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/2b9e54b8e96c744aeff9f636c1280748.jpg)
The nonprofit is presenting the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award to Van der Veken to recognize her environmental advocacy.
![Kwiat’s new “Mine to Shine” program allows consumers to follow a rough diamond through the process of cutting to setting in an engagement ring. Mine to Shine is being offered at the company’s stores in New York City and Las Vegas, as well as at authorized Kwiat retailers. Woman holding rough diamond Kwiat Mine to Shine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/423e2ac055625805da02edef3cab0ce0.jpg)
The retail offering, said to be the first of its kind, allows customers to follow a single rough diamond through the cutting process.
![The International Gemological Institute has joined the Watch & Jewellery Initiative (WJI) 2030 as a partner member. Logo for IGI Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 partnership](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/61740298cbbd79c6dee50cf78e9fb19d.jpg)
WJI 2030, founded in 2021 by Kering and Cartier, focuses on creating a more sustainable watch and jewelry industry.
![Pictured is the gold and diamond “Nomoli Totem Mansa” pendant necklace by Matturi Fine Jewelry. Designer Satta Matturi will give a presentation and receive an award at Initiatives in Art and Culture’s upcoming conference in New York. (Photo courtesy of Matturi © 2023) Matturi Fine Jewelry Gold and Diamond Nomoli Totem Mansa Pendant Necklace](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f626e193d7b1c83c74e05962fe217479.jpg)
In its 13th year, the event will focus on luxury in the age of responsible practices.
![On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Midas Resources SARLU, Diamville SAU, Industrial Resources General Trading, Limited Liability Company DM, and Andrey Nikolayevich Ivanov. The department alleges these four companies and one individual are involved in illicit gold dealings that help fund the Wagner Group. (Stock photo) Stock photo of gold bars](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4a6d0e42e1990fec894562854cd62d3a.jpg)
OFAC sanctioned four companies it claims are helping fund the Wagner Group, the organization that just attempted a coup in Russia.
![A look inside Tiffany & Co.’s renovated New York City flagship, also known as “The Landmark.” The jeweler recently received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative on its net-zero emissions target. Interior of Tiffany & Co. The Landmark flagship](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0080b3d355bbdb9ddf36ba0df4af6bfc.jpg)
The Science Based Targets initiative confirmed the jeweler’s goal is in line with the latest climate science.
![A shot from the opening day of the first Facets diamond conference, held in Antwerp, Belgium in September 2022. The event is slated to return in the fall, this time taking place in Gaborone, Botswana. (© Antwerp World Diamond Centre) Facets diamond conference Antwerp 2022](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a3105f393a8439e995f83cef197e7d6a.jpg)
First held in Antwerp last year, the second edition of the conference is slated to take place this October in Botswana.
![A selection of colored gemstones from Anza Gems. The company’s president, Monica Stephenson, is one of six experts featured in the Q&As below. (Photo credit: Sara Rey) Colored gemstones from Anza Gems](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6df5ea963f217976dd25ec8626f6e4eb.jpg)
In a collection of Q&As, key players give insight on supply, demand, the importance of origin, and whether the “Color of the Year” matters.
![Michaela Coel approached jewelry designer Emefa Cole ahead of the Met Gala to inquire about Single Mine Origin gold jewelry to represent their shared Ghanaian heritage at the event. Cole styled her with a gold headpiece, a pair of earrings and two cocktail rings from her new “Worth Their Weight” collection. (Photo credit/courtesy of Emefa Cole and Getty Images) 20230503_EmefaCole-Header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3c8e3384c97f3c844304f8a4f1430a54.jpg)
Actress Michaela Coel was “dripping in gold” at the Met Gala, wearing jewelry handmade by fellow British-Ghanian artist Emefa Cole.
![There are 12 spots still available for a 10-day trip to artisanal mines in East Africa next January hosted by Gem Legacy Adventures. 20230425_GemLegacy1.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/49a1f5c9c2de7109baa82c59b44ac9d7.jpg)
Registration is open now to join the for-profit arm of Gem Legacy on its third trip to Tanzania and Kenya.
![Duvall O’Steen, left, and Jen Cullen Williams are independent communications strategists and senior consultants for the Luxury Brand Group. They can be reached at DuvallOsteenNYC@gmail.com or Jen@JenCullenWilliams.com. 2021_JCW-Duvall-Header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/5264a30dd0223077d5cc6ec8d2ab94cf.jpg)
Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share expert advice on how to avoid misleading consumers when it comes to more nuanced topics.
![Hari Krishna Exports hosted a gala March 19 as part of the UN Water Conference. The event featured a panel on sustainability, hosted by Everledger CEO Leanne Kemp (left), featuring Ghanshyam Dholakia, managing director of Hari Krishna, GIA CEO Susan Jacques, Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton, Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos, and Paul Rowley, vice president of sales at De Beers Group. 20230322_UN Water Conference Gala.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c419919bcd9bd444201dc33ccf3dad94.jpg)
The CEOs of Signet, Helzberg, and GIA spoke on a water conservation panel, and had lakes named in their companies’ honor.
![GIA’s exhibit on mercury-free mining, showcased during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, won the Betty Clayton Gibson Memorial Trophy for “Best Museum Exhibit for 2023.” (Photo by Chris Rogers/GIA) 20230310_GIA Mercury Free Mining Exhibit.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a9af456f515ee095fd9f2252c1ef38d7.jpg)
The exhibit received the Betty Clayton Gibson Memorial Trophy for “Best Museum Exhibit for 2023.”
![The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference will be held Aug.11-13, 2023 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, while the new Instore Show is slated for Aug. 13-15 at the same location. 20230302_Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0fffe8473a4db5a55215b92a48872822.jpg)
Organizers hope the conference, scheduled for Aug. 11-13, will encourage discussion and action around the responsible jewelry movement.
![World Gem Foundation founder Geoff Dominy recently gave a lecture about valuing colored gemstones at the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University in Ethiopia. 20221221_WGF-header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/e5f0c67ac88a7c98d71a06539bde0de8.jpg)
In a Q&A, founder Geoff Dominy shares WGF’s plans for training a generation of gemologists in gem-producing countries in Africa.
![The jewelry in the collaboration between Muzo and NYC Jewelry Week’s Here We Are initiative will be sold at Greenwich St. Jewelers exclusively from now through Valentine’s Day 2023. 20221209_Muzo-NYCJW.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/ffc3c5c4c95878ee7c29566310f308f0.jpg)
They will be available exclusively at the retailer through Valentine’s Day 2023.
![Provenance Proof has launched a B2B marketplace for gemstones and jewelry tracked on its blockchain platform. 20221121_Provenance-Proof-header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b04a24e5960b2263d0ce184e32abf0a7.jpg)
Debuting today, it is open to Provenance Proof blockchain users.
![New York City Jewelry Week is back in 2022, slated for Nov. 14-20 at various venues and online. 20221107_NYCJW.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/649e33b9b6ace5c58caefc54101b497c.jpg)
It’s scheduled for Nov. 14-20 at various venues around the city and online.
![Senior Editor, Gemstones, Brecken Branstrator shares takeaways from her second trip to Tanzania and Kenya. (Photo credit: Rachel Merisheki) 20221102_Africa-header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/80071bb2e8b9c7469768f84057695948.jpg)
Senior Editor, Gemstones, Brecken Branstrator shares takeaways from her second trip to Tanzania and Kenya.
![Pictured, from left to right, are Iris Van der Veken, WJI 2030 executive director and secretary general; Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO; and Johanna Levy, GIA vice president of environmental, sustainability and governance programs, at the Jewelers Mutual “Conversations in Park City” event in October. 20221101_WJI-2030.jpeg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b5a2041cdf65c6c211471dea03b60dce.jpeg)
The institute will work with the organization to develop environmental, social, and governance content for its education programs.