(CHICAGO) – The second annual Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJ) will take place October 19 – 20, 2018 at Columbia College, Chicago Cinema Row, 1104 S Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. The CRJ is an international jewelry industry conference with a mission to further the movement of ‘Responsible Jewelry’, presented in partnership between Susan Wheeler and Ethical Metalsmiths.
This year’s conference promises to be informative and educational, with an impressive lineup of presenters and panelists. Mark Hanna, Chief Marketing Officer, Richline Group (a Berkshire Hathaway Company) and a responsible sourcing industry leader, will kick off the event as Keynote. Hanna believes in an inclusive path to jewelry industry responsibility that focuses on collaboration of effort between both larger corporations and individuals in our field.
“Richline Group’s objective is to share with, and learn from others throughout industry, with the goal of increasing transparency and responsible sourcing and ultimately growing consumer confidence in all industry products,” stated Hanna. “I’m happy to support initiatives like the CRJ which bring together a community of like-minded industry players eager to make a positive difference.”
Other confirmed speakers/presenters include representatives from NGOs such as IMPACT and PactWorld; jewelry industry organizations including GIA, RJC, Fairmined, and FairLux; industry responsible sourcing consultants and resources such as The Dragonfly Initiative and UL, and government representatives from the US Department of State and academics from the University of Delaware’s Minerals, Materials and Society program. Representatives from gemstone companies that focus on responsibly and ethically sourced stones will also be presenting.
Yianni Melas will close the conference. Melas is a passionate pioneer in all aspects of responsible jewelry sourcing. Known as the “Gem Explorer”, he’s a gem dealer whose world travels and commitment to the people in the mines are an inspiration to many in the jewelry industry.
New to this year’s conference will be invited, vetted vendors who will be on-site with responsible gemstones and diamonds for sale to the trade.
For more information or to register for both days or for an individual day pass please visit www.chiresponsiblejewelryconference.com/register.html.
