9:10 AM

2025 SCHEDULE 

This is a working schedule and subject to change.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Continental Breakfast & Networking

9:00 AM

8:45 PM

Conference Welcome

9:30 AM

Susan Wheeler, Founder | Responsible Jewelry Transformative | Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference | Susan Wheeler Design

And Brandee Dallow

Welcome everyone! We will start the day by sharing the progress of various initiatives that have been discussed during previous conferences, update attendees about the impact of their conference participation and philanthropy.

KeyNote

To Be Announced

The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference(CRJC) will announce the KeyNote of the 2025 conference.

10:00 AM

Synthetic Gemstones Infiltrating Mine Sites and Cutting Facilities Risk the Livelihoods Dependent on Gemstones

Eric Braunwart, CEO | Columbia Gem House

Mkhu Mkhululi N (Nkosilamandla) Ncube | African Minerals Development Centre, African Union

Chiko Manda | Consultant Mineral supply chains| ASM| Responsible Sourcing| Mineral

The synthetic colored gems are entering the jewelry supply chain as early as at the mine site. This consequences for the integrity of the colored gemstone trade is obvious, however there is also a consequence for the gemstone traders in source countries. Without scientific equipment or knowledge and ability to detect synthetics the effects can lead to economic disruption, community harm by undermining economic ecosystems and market manipulation. How is this happening and how can source economies and the gemstone trade protect themselves.

 11:00AM

THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF LEGAL COMPLIANCE IN JEWELRY INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Sara Yood, President, CEO & General Counsel | Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC)

Future speakers to be added soon

Rapidly changing landscape of regulations, tariffs and legal obligations for the jewelry industry require jewelers and jewelry business to know the latest legal requirements. Sara Yood will explain and detail what you need to know and how to apply that to your business.

Noon - 1:30 PM

Lunch & Breakout Sessions

We are currently accepting application for Break Out Sessions. The mission of the break outs is for industry individuals and organizations to round table current topics and issues.

1:30 PM

SAVING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE WE SOURCE

Speakers Confirmed Soon

Join Mejuri and Regeneration as they discuss how recovering gold from legacy mines is being used in Mejuri’s jewelry collections. Mejuri is a founding partner of Regeneration, a social enterprise focused on reviving legacy and abandoned mining sites through regenerative methods while concurrently restoring surrounding habitats and ecosystems.

Regeneration was created by RESOLVE, starting with Salmon Gold, RESOLVE thought outside of the box to tackle the serious and growing problem of waste at older mine sites. Mejuri is rethinking the jewelry industry, Regeneration is rethinking mining.

2:30 PM

MOVIE PREMIER

“OUT OF MINED”

“Out of Mined” is an Eyeforce production, made in association with Protect The West Coast is a long form documentary that is currently in the making. It tells the urgent story of South Africa’s West Coast, a place of raw beauty and resilient communities, under threat from destructive heavy mineral and diamond mining.Together, we can protect what remains.

3:00 PM

”OUT OF MINED” POST MOVIE PANEL

MODERATOR; Morgan Burger, Founder | For Seas and Graduate Student Researcher | Scripps Institution of Oceanography

PRESENTER; Mike Schlebach, Co Founder & Managing Director Protect The West Coast | Co Founder & Co Managing Director OpenSource Circular

Following the premier of “Out Of Mined”.Mike Schiebach discusses how surfers, artisanal fisheries, scientist and indigenous communities are working together to regulate diamond mining and call for beach restoration. Protect the West Coast addresses the environmental degradation of the popular surfing coast through community action and policy change in the coast North of Cape Town South Africa. The organization has developed an important tool to alert communities to mining applications that they may not otherwise hear about, enabling prior consent.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

8:45 AM

Continental Breakfast & Networking

9:00 AM

THE COMMUNITY FOR ETHICAL JEWELRY

Representatives from the organization will be announced soon

The students from universities and colleges across the US participate in the Ethical Metalsmiths Education Department initiatives. See how the next generation is shaping what the future of ethical jewelry is as they push the bundaires with their designs and and create with intention.

RUBIES MATCHING VALUE TO EQUITY, AND DEFINING CONFLICT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Stuart Robertson, President Gemworld

The desire for rubies is high up and has a strong forecast to continue to grow. But while Burmese Rubies are the most highly priced, the major supplier remains sanctioned. Mozambique another source of rubies is a region facing conflict and controversy. How does the industry reconcile these factors into the trade. This panel will explore the rich history and current affairs of the rubie market and discuss new ways to find equity and ethics in rubies.

10:30 AM

RECIPROCITY JEWELS

Participants to be announced soon

The visionary jewelry designers who have joined the Reciprocity collective create incredible jewelry with gold and silver that is both traced back to the women miners and mercury free. Reciprocity has been exhibiting a capsule collection during NYCJW for three years and has become a must see destination during the week due to its beautiful rain forest inspired decor and repertoire of some of the most notable international jewelry designers who participate in the show.

Noon - 1:30 PM

Lunch & Breakout Sessions

We are currently accepting application for Break Out Sessions. The mission of the break outs is for industry individuals and organizations to round table current topics and issues.

1:30 PM

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 1 NO POVERTY IN JEWELRY

Mhku Mkhululi Nkosilamandla Ncube, Programmes Officer | African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) African Union

More speaker confirmations coming soon

The disparity between poverty and the luxury market cannot be ignored. The panel delves into smarter, resilient and equitable business that can thrive in the face of turmoil. What does it take to build social enterprise that is successful and works to lift those in its value chain from poverty.

2:45 PM

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, YOUR BRAND, YOUR CAUSE

ALEX HARAUS Environmentalist Influencer

More speakers confirmations coming soon

Social media has been used is arguably one of the most powerful marketing, communication and brand building tools that jewelry business has. How jewelers are suing social media now often goes beyond brand building and is layered with the beliefs and causes of business founders. The building of a social media campaign whether through your business requires careful crafting, and strategic planning. Join Alex Haraus labeled Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 for social media, you may have also met Alex when he worked for the CRJC in 2019

3:15 p.m.

GOLD REFINERS AND MANUFACTURERS MAKING THE CAHNGE

4:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

5:00 - 11:00 P.M.

A downloadable PDF will be available closer to the start of the conference.

Networking & Cocktails

Join us for two great events this evening.

Learn more here.

Speakers

Thank You to Our Generous 2025 Sponsors

The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference would not be possible without the financial and operational support of our sponsors. All sponsorships help us secure visas, travel, and accommodations for our speakers and panelists who come from out of the country. We have all levels of sponsorships available, which is an excellent way to contribute to the responsible jewelry cause regardless of business size.