CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
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
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
