2025 SCHEDULE
This is a working schedule and subject to change.
Friday, October 17, 2025
Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:45 PM
Conference Welcome
9:00 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.
9:10 AM
KeyNote
To Be Announced
The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference(CRJC) will announce the KeyNote of the 2025 conference.
Synthetic Gemstones Infiltrating Mine Sites and Cutting Facilities Risk the Livelihoods Dependent on Gemstones
10:00 AM
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
Synthetic colored gemstones are entering the jewelry supply chain as early as at the mine site. This consequences for the integrity of the colored gemstone industry is obvious, however there is also a consequence for the communities who rely on the gemstone trade 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.
GEMSTONES
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
11:00AM
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.
JEWELRY COMPANY COMPLIANCE
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
Endangered species of animals, mammals and insects can be impacted by the jewelry industry in a myriad of ways. The Pink Dolphins in the Amazon have been found to suffer from mercury poisoning stemming from the processing of illegal gold that is proven to be in “recycled gold”. The Rhinos of Mozambique are victims of illicit gangs with convergence in the gemstones trade. The Monarch habitat in Mexico became unstable due to mining, until a ban on new mining was passed into law in 2023, leading to rising numbers in their population. Understanding the place and circumstance of where we source our materials and what effect this has on wildlife there is important for us to help save these vital speicies.
GOLD & GEMSTONES
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.
DIAMONDS
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.
DIAMONDS
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Continental Breakfast & Networking
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.
8:45 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
RUBIES MATCHING VALUE TO EQUITY, DEFINING CONFLICT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Rubies are growing in popularity and scarcity, with a supply chain narrowed by sanctions and consolidated into majority of production from foreign corporate mining in Mozambique. How do we reconcile human rights, traceability, and the inclusion of ASM supply chains? The move to large scale corporate mines and integrated auction systems drive ruby supplies risk exclusion of 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.
GEMSTONES
Stuart Robertson, President Gemworld
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.
GOLD, JEWELRY DESIGN
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.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 1 NO POVERTY IN JEWELRY
1:30 PM
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.
2:30 PM
ALEX HARAUS Environmentalist Influencer
More speakers confirmations coming soon
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, YOUR BRAND, YOUR CAUSE
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
JEWELRY BRANDING, SOCIAL MEDIA
3:30 p.m.
MINED IN AMERICA
The move to mine, mine, mine in America will have an impact on the jewelry industry. If regulations are loosened, if mining begins in American National Parks and Monuments it could tarnish the jewelry industries reputation and funnel gold and silver into our products that are associated with controversial actions. But jewelry is a 85 billion dollar a year industry which holds some power to influence the agenda. The American metals panel will bring awareness to changes in legislature, environmental, wildlife and cultural heritage risks and indigenous rights as they unfold now in the US.
GOLD & SILVER
4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
5:00 - 11:00 P.M.
Join us for two great events this evening.
Networking & Cocktails
A downloadable PDF will be available closer to the start of the conference.
Speakers
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Anna Samsonova
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Barbara Wheat
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Susan Wheeler
Founder | Responsible Jewelry Transformative | Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference | Susan Wheeler Design
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Brecken Branstrator
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Eric Braunwart
Founder | Columbia Gem House
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Percy Maleta
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Stanley Zale
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Mike Schlebach
Co Founder & Managing Director | Protect The West Coast
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Mkhululi N Ncube
Program Management Officer | African Minerals Development Centre
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Chiko Manda
Responsible Sourcing Managing Partner | Perekezi ASM Consultants & Events
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Kathi Lynn Austin
Founder & Executive Director | Conflict Awareness Project | Expert Consultant on Trafficking, Corruption, Peace & Security
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.
