Creating a sustainable future

The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference engages all people in the jewelry industry, educators, and students. The conference will cover the concepts of responsible and sustainable jewelry, including specific ways that individuals and companies can be involved in the responsible jewelry movement. Insights from leaders in the global jewelry industry will demonstrate positive effects on emerging economies that are unique to the jewelry industry.
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Courtesy of @patschein Twitter
Conference location and date:  October 19th to the 20th from 9 AM to 5 PM at Film Row Cinema, 1104 S Wabash Ave.
Saturday night cocktail party location and time: 5:15 PM to 7 PM at Steve Quick Jeweler, 1909 W Division St.

Special Guests


  • KEYNOTE Mark Hanna, Richline 
  • ​INTRODUCTION Susan Wheeler, Chicago Responsible Jewelry Council
  • ​​Yianni Melas,  The Gem Explorer​
  • Francesco Belloni, Ethical Jewels by Gioielleria Belloni
  • Stuart Pool, Ninteen48, Rubyfair,Crown Gems and co-founder Fair Luxury
  • Dharmendra Tank, Heerala Chhagganal Tank
  • Brandee Dallow,  Founder/President of ‎Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications
  • Joanne Lebert, Impact
  • Jennifer Dawes, Jennifer Dawes Design
  • Toby Pomeroy, The ​Mercury Free Mining Challenge
  • Glenn Lehrer,  Glenn Lehrer Design
  • Joshua Read, ​The Dragonfly Initiative
  • CONFERENCE MODERATOR
    Andrea Hill, Hill Management Group 
  • Marla Hedworth,  UL​
  • Elizabeth Orlando, State Department
  • Eric Branunwart, Columbia Gem House
  • Roberto Alvarez, The Mina Gualcondo
  • Monica Stephenson, ANZA Gems & idazzle​
  • Patricia Syvrud,  Minerals, Materials and Society Program Manager, University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment
  • Patricia Mweene,  Inonge Zita Zambia Gemstone
  • Maarten de Witte, Master American Diamond
  • ​Rolberto Alvarez, Agromineral Association of the Andes
  • Rachel Hill, Americut Gems
  • Anna Bario, Bario Neal
  • Susan Egan Keane, NRDC
  • Nigel Pitman, The Field Museum
  • Salma Kundi, Tanzanian Women Miners Association
  • Norbert Massay, Pact-Tanzania
  • Robert Weldon, GIA
  • Sarah Dupont , Founder & President, Amazon Aid & Producer, River of Gold​
  • Sarah Caven, Director, Dragon Fly Initiative
  • Brian Cook, Lapidary Artist, Nature's Geometry, Brazil Golden Initiative
  • Hewan Zewdi, Gemstone Dealer, Agere Treasure LLC


























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Positive Effects of Responsible Jewelry

​The Chicago Responsible Jewelry conference features panels and speakers on topics relevant to current world and jewelry industry concerns. Discussions and panels will include, artisanal and large scale mining's effects on communities and the environment, the future of artisanal and fair trade diamonds, how to implement blockchain into your own supply chain,  the sustainability and future of the gem cutting industry, how gem photographs are changing the lives of mining women in East Africa, the challenges and benefits of an artisan gold mine in Columbia, how are countries rated in their responsible jewelry practices. Vendors will be on site selling responsibly sourced gemstones and diamonds to the trade.  We will have plenty of time for networking and cocktail events! Join us in October to gain further insight into the sustainability movement in the jewelry industry.
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Courtesy of Diamond Foundry