Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference 2024

August 9 & 10, 2024!

Donald E. Stephen's Convention Center | Rosemont, IL

The conference where the international community of thinkers and doers in responsible jewelry gathers.

The 2024 Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference and the Gem Boutique was held on August 9-10, alongside the INSTORE Show which created greater industry awareness and helped help expand our mission of creating responsible supply chains for jewelry materials and production. It was a chance to delve into the future of sustainable and ethical practices within the industry. View the full schedule here.

Here's a glimpse of what you missed:

  • Go Global with planetGOLD: Discover how this UN-led initiative is eliminating mercury use in gold mining across 25 countries. Learn about their innovative solutions and the impact they're making on communities worldwide.

  • PeaceGold™: A Game Changer: Jewelry industry veteran Greg Valerio unveils his groundbreaking social enterprise, PeaceGold™. This DRC-based project offers a unique approach to responsible and traceable gold sourcing.

  • Combating Corruption in Gemstones: Dive deep into the issue of corruption in the gemstone industry and its impact on consumers, miners, and traders. Experts will guide you on how to support anti-corruption efforts and make ethical purchasing decisions.

  • Lesotho Diamonds: Balancing Progress and Protection: Hear from Thabo Lerotholi about the plight of indigenous communities near the Gem Diamond mine. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the legalization of artisanal and small-scale diamond mining in Lesotho.

  • Rehabilitation on the Horizon: Learn about the efforts of leading jewelry companies to address the environmental impact of abandoned tailings ponds.

  • Design with a Difference: Get inspired by innovative jewelry designers who prioritize ethical sourcing, storytelling, and responsible practices in their creations.

  • National Action Plan for Responsible Business Conduct: The U.S. Department of Labor will present the action plan, which was just released and will affect all businesses operating in the U.S. and their suppliers.

  • RESOLVE: Mejuri will discuss their work with RESOLVE to source gold from legacy mines in the Americas.

  • Kimberly Process: Representatives from the KPCS and stakeholders in Gabon and Lesotho come together to discuss the inclusion of artisanal and small-scale diamond miners into mainstream markets. 

  • Roundtable: Jewelry designers, retailers and brands will share and discuss what they have learned at the conference and have implemented into their own businesses.

    View the full schedule.

    Learn more about the Responsible Gem Boutique.

In 2015, World Leaders Agreed to 17 Global Goals

We have made progress, but there is still work to be done, and the Goals are more important than ever. The climate crisis. Ensuring no one goes hungry. Human rights abuses. Extreme poverty. Problems of this scale can be overwhelming, but the Global Goals (also known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs) are the solution to tackling them.

Thank You to Our Generous 2024 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.