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Dear RJC Members and Stakeholders,
We hope you and your families are well.
More than ever during this festive season, we stand together as one. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Passover, Blessed Easter and Ramadan Kareem.
The RJC is here to support you and your business through these unprecedented times of resilience and help you prepare for a new normal.
Now more than ever, we are prioritising collaboration, partnerships and conscious engagement with our members to support business continuity in their RJC journey. On our dedicated COVID-19 webpage, members and key stakeholders can find the latest update.
As the economic and human rights impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak come into view, we are seeing supply chain and frontline workers (especially women), alongside those in informal jobs, bear the worst impacts of a crisis. In this newsletter, you will find guidance from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) - and we invite you to watch the recording of our webinar on Gender Equality in Action, where you will find useful resources.
We see two priorities:
- First, like any industry, our industry recovery will need support of bold and timely economic policies from governments around the world to mitigate the economic damage and help build confidence in the economy and focus on recovery. These measures are essential to protect people’s livelihoods. Governments and businesses will need to work more closely together to tackle this crisis. Time is of the essence.
- Second, our industry needs to unite more than ever to focus on long term sustainability and consumer confidence. Ultimately, we work in an industry of beauty and emotions. We strongly believe we have a great opportunity to engage with our consumers in these unprecedented times. Consumer behaviour will evolve through the experience of this pandemic and we, as an industry, will need to adapt fast to understand and exceed the consumers expectation.
In this bulletin, we welcome the leadership of David Kellie, CEO of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA). The RJC has joined hands with the DPA and other industry organisations to form the Jewellers Support Network - supporting independent and family-owned jewellery businesses through the #supportyourlocaljeweller campaign.
The jewellery industry is a trust-based industry and it is all about relationships. We should not forget that at the heart of the supply chain are thousands of family businesses. We need to focus on the connection with our customers and enhance trust through responsible business practices. The consumer has a choice and expects integrity more than ever.
Ultimately, what we as the leading standards organisation stand for, and stand up for, is integrity: through our supply chains, in our work with stakeholders, and of our membership.
In doing so, we are rebuilding trust in the global jewellery and watch industry, underpinning its future, so people continue to hold jewellery close to their hearts for centuries to come.
Stay safe.
Best wishes,
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Six- Month Extension to Audit Deadlines
Due to the increasing risks of the COVID-19 virus and the extensive travel restrictions, the RJC is providing temporary measures on audit flexibility to support our members.
For members with an in-person or ‘onsite’ audit scheduled for the period March 1 – June 30 2020, we are offering a six-month extension to the RJC audit deadline.
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RJC held a webinar with audit firm programme managers on 25 March to discuss these temporary exceptional measures to the RJC audit scheduling. We are in continuous communication with all audit firms to ensure our members are informed and receive the necessary support for their business continuity and RJC certification.
Dedicated support
The RJC team is here to support you as you start your risk assessment and implement the Code of Practices. Please email Daylia Brown daylia.brown@responsiblejewellery.com who will help you through your journey towards certification and answer any questions you may have.
For more information and updates:
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International Labour Organisation (ILO) standard and COVID-19
On 23 March the ILO published a document of answers to most
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frequently asked questions related to International Labour Standards and the COVID-19 outbreak. This FAQ document is a useful tool for RJC members and auditors to guide them through certification, answering important questions related to working conditions and human resources.
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Annual General Meeting 2020
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This year the RJC Annual General Meeting and election process will be administered electronically by LUMI, the UK’s leading independent provider of end-to-end ballot, election and voting services.
Each member will receive a unique password which will allow remote participation in all aspects of the AGM.
Nominations for this year’s AGM have now closed.
Next steps:
- Voting for Member Forums will open on 13 April at 9.00am and close on 11 May at 6.00pm (BST).
- Voting for Board Officer positions will open on 13 April at 9.00am and close on 19 May at 6.00pm (BST).
The AGM will be followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion, starting at 3.00pm. We are bringing together leaders, partners and commentators from across the jewellery industry to discuss the connection between Responsibility and Resilience.
More details to follow.
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RJC joins the Jewellers Support Network
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In response to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on communities and local businesses across the world, the Responsible Jewellery Council and the Diamond Producers Association joined forces with leading jewellery industry organisations in the US and the UK, to form the Jeweller Support Network - to help independent and family-owned jewellery businesses.
As the outbreak continues to disrupt small businesses around the country, and as counties and states enforce lockdowns, the livelihood of many jewelers is at stake.
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“The COVID-19 outbreak has created not just a global health crisis but also an economic crisis, particularly for small businesses across the country. Local, family-owned jewelry stores have been hit hard and need our support,” said David Kellie, CEO of the Diamond Producers Association.
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“The industry needs to come together to help sustain independent jewelers through this tough time, ensuring they survive and can continue to be an important service to the local community.”
The Jeweler Support Network will work to provide support and resources to local jewelers in the US and UK, as well as information for consumers through key initiatives, including:
- A consumer website www.supportyourlocaljeweler.com to further provide information on the importance of local jewelers and supporting small businesses
- A trade website www.jewelersupportnetwork.com in the US and www.jewellersupportnetwork.com in the UK to give retailers a one-stop portal for free assets to educate and support retailers in this difficult time
- As retailers start to reopen for business, create advertising campaigns to reinforce the values of independent jewelers in their local communities.
Though these are trying times for all of us, the jewellery industry is finding silver linings – from designers reconnecting with their creativity at home, to retailers who are lending a helping hand in their local communities.
We’d love to hear your positive stories.
Please share your updates here.
Support this initiative by sharing on your social channels tagging #supportyourlocaljeweller.
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Message from World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) President
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"The COVID-19 crisis will be transformational for our industry, it’s imperative that we discuss together how to move forward."
Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri
CIBJO President
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[Webinar] Gender Equality in Action
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The United Nations Global Compact and the Responsible Jewellery Council would like to thank you for attending last month’s Gender Equality in Action webinar. This webinar marked the launch of our new partnership on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
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Missed out on the webinar?
We wish to express appreciation for your understanding and continued participation during the technical difficulties on the webcast.
If you were not able to tune in live, please find the webinar recording and slide deck below. Feel free to download and share.
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Take Action on Gender Equality: Next Steps
As discussed in the webinar, we encourage you to set goals, take action, build transformative partnerships to help drive change in the jewellery and watch industry. This is a journey of continuous improvement - and together we can make a real difference.
Here's what you can do to contribute to SDG 5:
Again, thank you for your time and engagement. Should you have further questions regarding the webinar and RJC, please contact us at info@responsiblejewellery.com.
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United Nations Global Compact - Webinar Series
To help drive responsible corporate action, the United Nations Global Compact is #UnitingBusiness to respond to COVID-19 and providing guidance and support to companies everywhere. Check out their Special Academy Series - and join their upcoming webinar:
COVID-19: How Business Can Support Women in Times of Crisis
Tuesday 14 April | 10.00am (EST)
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To watch recordings of recent webinars visit their webpage.
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Member initiatives across the industry
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Spreading Kindness with
The Plumb Club
This is a time for many of us to reflect upon how we are helping
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our industry colleagues, friends and customers – with many sharing posts and stories showing what suppliers and retailers in this industry are doing - both generous and creative things to help others navigate these uncharted waters.
The Plumb Club has various tools that they use to communicate to the industry and now, more than ever, they would like to highlight those in our industry who are doing what they can to help.
If you have a great feel good story you would like to share, The Plumb Club would like to hear about it - and potentially feature your story in either on their social media channels or blogs. Simply tell them your story and, if possible, include photos, which can also be posted. Include a contact name and email/telephone number so that they can reach out to you if they have questions.
Over the next several weeks The Plumb Club will pick up to 20 stories to feature. If they share your story, they will donate $100.00 in your company's name to the charity of your choice. The charity can be local or national, as long as it is focused on helping with the current situation we all find ourselves in.
Please forward your stories to info@plumbclub.com no later than
Wednesday 15 April.
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FREE Diamond Foundation Course for RJC Members
De Beers Group Institute of Diamonds (DBGIOD) has made available it's online Diamond Foundation Course for 100 learners from RJC Members for as long as the ongoing Coronavirus crisis continues.
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Normally $250 per student - the Diamond Foundation Course covers everything from the atomic structure of a diamond to how we at De Beers Group recover and sort rough diamonds. Modules focus on the 4Cs, retail sales skills and the detection of synthetic (lab-grown) diamonds, drawing on the latest findings of De Beers Group Technology.
Students can return to work with a greater understanding and appreciation of the entire diamond industry with the confidence needed to clearly communicate the natural diamond story with customers.
Please keep in mind:
- The course can accept up to 100 students per group, so places are generous but limited
- Students will be uploaded in batches and will receive registration steps from DBGIOD
- The course is CPD accredited and students can download a certificate from DBGIOD
Register to the course by replying to communications@responsiblejewellery.com with:
- First name
- Last name
- Email address
- Prefered language (English, French, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Thai, Italian, Turkish)
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Interesting Webinars and Resouces
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Jewelers Vigilance Committee (“JVC”) COVID-19 Resouces
The JVC is the jewellery industry’s trusted voice as the United State’s legal compliance expert and trade advocate. In line with its mission to educate, provide guidance and monitor the legal compliance
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practices of the jewelry industry, for 103 years JVC has represented the jewellery trade before government agencies, regularly conducts educational programs on topics affecting wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers, publishes educational resources, and mediates hundreds of intertrade and consumer disputes. All of this work is in the service of ultimately protecting the US consumer, their faith in their trade, and to support a thriving trade via minimizing business risk.
As a response to the shared current crisis, they have launched a COVID-19 page with content specifically tailored to the jewellery trade and their legal needs in this unprecedented time - which is updated daily.
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Positive Luxury Webinars
Positive Luxury is the company behind the Butterfly Mark, a unique trust mark awarded to luxury lifestyle brands in recognition of their commitment to creating a positive impact on our world. Our digital expertise and international network
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of extremely smart and creative people and businesses is what makes our community so strong. We see our role in these challenging times as a catalyst for positivity and knowledge sharing where you can foster new relationships and strengthen old ones. Every Thursday at 2.00pm (BST), we are hosting a new series of webinars, called The Power Series, in partnership with What We Seee.
Upcoming webinar episodes:
The Power of Digital Communities:
Thursday 16 April | 2.00pm (BST)
Will discuss how to effectively build a digital network that creates a sense of community.
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The Power of Good Leadership:
Thursday 7 May | 2.00pm (BST)
Will feature panellists Paul Polman and Valerie Keller, Co-founders of Imagine. They will discuss what it means to effectively lead a team and keep them motivated, especially when circumstances are difficult.
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The Couch Conference for Jewelers Debuts
The Couch Conference is a two -day digital summit that gathers the most brilliant thinkers and doers, focused on equipping you to become a better leader, and growing your business.
Learning from the couch has never been easier. Experts will discuss transforming business in the time of COVID-19.
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The conference will take place on:
Thursday 16 to Friday 17 April
From 12.00pm to 3.30pm (EDT).
Speakers at the conference will include thought leaders from both inside and outside the jewelry industry, including many retailers.
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BSR Resouces
BSR has developed a content hub to provide more guidance to businesses on addressing
COVID-19. The hub is continuously updated.
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World Economic Forum Recources
The World Economic Forum offers a rich library of reports and resources so you can access the latest insights on the coronavirus and its effect on global health, the economy, and more.
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Access the entire International Diamond Exchange (IDEX) Diamond Trading platform for FREE
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As the global pandemic changes life for everyone, IDEX is also adjusting to the "new normal".
To offer their support, expertise and platform assets to friends and colleagues in our industry, IDEX has opened up its diamond trading platform for FREE - to all newcomers until 31 August 2020.
IDEX is the leading online diamond-trading platform for professional diamond traders located in the main diamond cities such as Antwerp, Mumbai, Ramat Gan, and New York. Receive a free copy of the IDEX Price Report, a reliable, transparent, market-driven and unbiased pricing tool, based on changes as seen on IDEX's trading platform, with more than 900,000 diamonds.
Register using the code: RJC
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