Welcome to the conference with Andrea Hill, CEO |Hill Management Group | Werx Brands; and Susan Wheeler, Founder | Responsible Jewelry Transformative | Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference | Susan Wheeler Design

Susan Wheeler, Advisor for the Fashion and Lifestyle Network, a joint initiative of the UN Office for Partnerships, the Division for Sustainable Development Goals - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Fashion Impact Fund. Responsible Jewelry Transformative/UN Women Action Coalition Generation Equality Commitment Maker.

Moderated by Anna Samsonova | Samsonova Consulting. Speakers: Sejal Karavadia, Director of Procurement and Vendor Management | Brilliant Earth; Cristina Villegas, Director | PACT Mine to Market; Jessica Hudson, Founding Partner | Virtu Gem, Owner/Designer | VIPAKA Jewelry and Founder | The Nomad Jeweler; and Pauline Mundia, Ambassador | Virtu Gem Zambia, Vice President | Federation of Small Scale Mining Associations of Zambia and African Women in Mining Association-Southern African Chapter

While many of the colored gemstones mined come from artisanal and small-scale mines, the demands from large buyers in the name of compliance leave little room for true allocation of value for this important segment of the jewelry supply chain. Sharing the knowledge of what markets require to be successful and compete on equal footing is a way forward for the inclusion of miners worldwide. The GIA education program to help miners identify their stones, information sharing from Gem World to gemstone valuation, and guidance in buying expectations have paved the way to a more equitable supply chain for colored gemstones.

Speakers: Lisa Levin, Professor Emeritas | Scripps Institution of Oceanography | UC San Diego

There is growing interest in sourcing minerals, including gold and silver from the deep seabed.  While 3 different ecosystems are being targeted for minerals exploration, mining these systems creates many harmful environmental impacts including direct mortality, changes in chemistry, suspended sediment plumes, release of toxic chemicals, noise, light and vibration which is cause for concern for the jewelry industry. At present there is very limited protection of these unique and fragile ecosystems, which occur both within national and international waters, and there are many gaps in scientific knowledge that prevent effective management of mining in the deep sea. This session will explore the risks that have led to calls from states, scientists, civil society and businesses for a moratorium on deep-seabed mining. 

Moderated by Holly McHugh, VP of Sustainability | Mejuri, Inc. Panelists: Mark Hanna, Chief Marketing Officer | Richline Group; Will Nevins-Alderfer | WR Metal Arts; and Torry Hoover, President | Hoover & Strong

For the first time in the jewelry industry, we will address the issues around responsible silver sourcing. The origins of silver are complex, as it is extracted as a by-product of mining for many other minerals including copper, lead, zinc, and gold. Silver mines are located in the US, China, Mexico, Morocco, and across the Americas. The issues are many ranging from mercury in mining to the assassination of human rights defenders, but there are fewer risks than gold in many other areas, including less money laundering and more compliant large-scale mines. The silver jewelry market is on fire. We need to begin the conversation about silver.

“Transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development” It is Africa's own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side by side with pervasive poverty.  What does the African mining vision hold for jewelry interest in diamonds, gold and gemstones?

Moderated by Brandee Dallow, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer | Grandview Klein Diamonds. Panelists: Abigail Sibanda, Gender Focal Person | Marange Women’s Alliance (MWA); and Susan Wheeler

Can using a woman as a token gain you access to mine for diamonds illegally? Yes. Sex trafficking and sex work are, unfortunately, acceptable norms in mines worldwide.

Join us for light refreshments as we relax and catch up.

Shannon Kurzyniec and Chelsea Rowe, Members of the Ethical Metalsmiths Student Committee and Graduate Students | Virginia Commonwealth University

Speaker: Anna Bario, Co-Founder + Designer | Bario Neal

How to incorporate the mission of responsible jewelry into the DNA of your brand.

Moderated by Brecken Branstrator | Gem World. Panelists: Eric Braunwart, Founder, Columbia Gem House; Chiko Manda, Ambassador | Virtu Gem Malaw, Managing Director | Perekezi ASM Consultants; Ola Erogbogbo-Oyeniyi, Co-Founder and CEO | Deinte Designs Limited; Stuart Pool, Owner | Nineteen48; Pauline Mundia, Ambassador | Virtu Gem Zambia, Vice President | Federation of Small Scale Mining Associations of Zambia and African Women in Mining Association-Southern African Chapter; and Susan Wheeler, Founding Partner | Virtu Gem

The colored gemstone supply chain is often described as complex, opaque, and impossible to trace, but it doesn't need to be that way. Forging business relationships with source country traders can facilitate the traceability and compliance that the jewelry industry is looking for and offer breathing room to focus on lifting mining communities and source country business infrastructures.

Moderated by Andrea Hill. Panelists: Laura Galvis | Alliance for Responsible Mining; and Roy Maconachie, Professor of Natural Resources and Development | Dept. of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath

This session will highlight the positive initiatives in ASM gold mining and bring an awareness of the close relationship and interactions between mining and farming. Anecdotal insight and visuals of working agriculture at gold mines will shed light on the possibilities of low environmental and social impact of ASM gold mining, and how these initiatives bring positive and more sustainable development to rural mining communities.

Speakers: Sara Yood, Deputy General Counsel | Jewelers Vigilance Committee; and Andrea Hill, CEO |Hill Management Group | Werx Brands

As the war against Ukraine continues, the US continues to fight the war through sanctions that directly and powerfully hit the jewelry industry. The only way forward for the industry is to completely change our direction and control the path that our diamonds and gold take to reach the bench. We will discuss how this can be done, and what you need to know to assist our government in the fight to help Ukraine and obey the law. No organization can take responsibility for you.

We will break out into groups where participants will talk about how to apply UN SDGs to initiatives to help improve transparency in jewelry supply chains. Let’s get the conversation started!  

Speaker: Saleem Ali, Distinguished Professor of Geography and member of UN International Resource Panel | University of Delaware

As the lead author of the recently released report from the United Nations International Resource Panel on Human Migration and Natural Resources, Saleem will share some of our findings with reference to mineral rushes and migration flows to and from
such areas.

Moderated by Natasha Braunwart, Brand & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager | Columbia Gem House. Panelists: Hannah Smythe, Founder/Designer | Toast Fine Jewelry and DEH Jewelry Solutions; Megan Cochran, Founder/Designer | Megan Cochran Jewelry Design; and Eric Braunwart, Founder | Columbia Gem House

There are various elements along the supply chain that make up responsible sourcing; one of which is the environment. In this discussion, we will take a deeper look at the 2023 Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge and how it has grown into a larger fundraising project. Hear from some of the participating designers on their inspirations and design process. We will touch on sustainable pearls, impacts on wildlife, and how responsibly sourced designs can inspire consumer engagement..