JA and NRF to Co-Host Responsible Gold Sourcing Discussion

(IDEX Online News) – Jewelers of America (JA) and the National Retail Federation (NRF) are to co-host a discussion focusing on the importance of responsible gold sourcing. The roundtable discussion will take place during the JA New York Show at the Javits Convention Center.

The meeting will look at opportunities to further build up responsible sourcing, tools for jewelers. JA says the meeting aims to provide an opportunity for policymakers, human rights advocates, and the jewelry industry to share progress and learn lessons about supply chains, supplier engagement and in-region clean sourcing initiatives from the first year of conflict minerals reporting.

“The success of the US jewelry industry depends on consumer confidence in the products our members sell,” said JA president & CEO David J. Bonaparte. “Jewelers of America believes one way for the jewelry industry to inspire consumer confidence is through the responsible sourcing of gold.”

"Gold and other minerals have been known to fuel unspeakable violence in Congo and the surrounding region, when mined and traded illegally by armed groups who use them to finance their activities." said Holly Dranginis, policy associate at the Enough Project, a Washington-based non-profit, who will be speaking at the event.

"Jewelry companies have a major role to play in curbing that violence and improving the conditions for peace by developing responsible sourcing practices."

The forum, which will take place on July 27, is being sponsored by Signet Jewelers Ltd. with support from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and MJSA, the Association for Jewelry Makers and Designers.