15th IAC Gold + Diamond Conference Shines In New York July 14
According to IAC founder and president Lisa Koenigsberg, 'The Gold + Diamond conference offers a ... More critical opportunity for diverse industry professionals, miners, jewelry makers, researchers, curators and others to engage with what truly matters."
Keeping An Eye On The Prize
In an interview with this writer, IAC founder and President Lisa Koenigsberg, Ph.D., said, 'The Gold + Diamond conference offers a critical opportunity for diverse industry professionals, miners, jewelry makers, researchers, curators and others to engage with what truly matters. Safeguarding the planet,' Dr. Koenigsberg detailed, 'upholding human rights and preserving the craft and cultural heritage that define the fields of gold, diamonds and jewelry making are all top priorities for those participating in 'Eye on the Prize.'
IAC hosts internationally inclusive forums that annually champion forward-thinking collaborations through its conferences and online events and publications, as exemplified by 'Eye on the Prize.'. 'The aim of this year's conference,' according to Dr. Koenigsberg, 'is to engender new thinking, innovative approaches, fruitful partnerships and initiatives in support of responsible practice writ large, while also championing artisanry and creative vision at the highest levels. Since 2011,' she continued, 'IAC has been presenting the Gold + Diamond conference to provide a platform for cross-disciplinary discussion, debate, and collaboration regarding critical issues in the jewelry, precious metals and gemstones sectors.'
Edward Bickham of The World Gold Council noted, "IAC's Gold + Diamond Conference is unique in its ... More ability to bring people together from different fields to discuss the ethics of mining, the integrity of jewelry design and production, the challenges of tracing and provenance, the welfare of its workers and how we connect with consumers."
Seeking Solutions Through Dialogue And Collaborations
As Edward Bickham of the World Gold Council stated in an email, "IAC's Gold + Diamond Conference is unique in its ability to bring people together from different fields to discuss the ethics of mining, the integrity of jewelry design and production, the challenges of tracing and provenance, the welfare of its workers and how we connect with consumers. It's a place for spirited debate,' he related, 'and a genuine searching for solutions, a highlight for those who otherwise suffer from conference fatigue.'
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Given IAC's willingness to grapple with controversial topics that have troubled the planet for millennia, Initiatives in Art and Culture's three-day event seems rather like the gold, diamond and jewelry industry's analogue to the World Economic Forum's Davos summit. As Davos does every year, IAC programs an international, rigorously diverse; all-star roster of solo speakers and expert panelists who are influential experts and leaders in their fields.
For example, leading lights include Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the World Jewellery Federation (CIBJO). Cavalieri is the eminence grise of the global movement to define and disseminate gemstone industry and jewelry industry guidelines through the 'Blue Books,' definitive directories containing international industry standards and terminology for diamonds, colored stones, pearls, coral, precious metals other materials, and industry practice. With members from over 45 countries, CIBJO is IAC's Conference Partner for 'Eye on the Prize.' As Cavalieri wrote in an email, 'Initiatives in Art and Culture's Gold + Diamond Conference has established itself over the past several years as a milestone event on the international jewelry industry's calendar. It highlights the challenges of the day,' he related, 'and also breaks new ground, both in terms of defining the issues about which we should be concerned, and the strategies and methodologies that we should consider using to deal with them. CIBJO is proud to have been part of the effort.'
At 'Eye On The Prize.' Emefa Cole, the jeweler and inaugural Curator of Jewelry, Diaspora, at ... More London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A), will discuss how she is expanding the V & A's jewelry collection, with a particular emphasis on jewelry from the African diaspora.
Other confirmed presenters are: Nicolas Luchsinger, CEO of Buccellati; Feriel Zerouki, President, World Diamond Council (WDC), and John Mulligan, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Climate Change Lead for the World Gold Council. Emefa Cole, the Ghanaian-born, London-based jeweler and inaugural Curator of Jewelry, Diaspora, at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A). Cole will discuss how she is expanding the V & A's jewelry collection, with a particular emphasis on jewelry from the African diaspora. Lucian Simmons, head of Provenance Research at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, will join the conversation regarding Ghanaian culture and ongoing restitution of gold objects to Ghana which Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Director of Ghana's Manhyia Palace Museum, will explore in the panel and in his address entitled 'Ghana and Gold.'
Panels Explore Compelling Gold, Diamond And Jewelry-Related Topics
The concept of heritage will also be explored by Rachel Brandrick, Marketing Director of 886 by The Royal Mint, which is 100 percent owned by the UK treasury. Founded in 886 by King Alfred the Great, The Royal Mint strives to marry its illustrious history with innovations in sustainable sourcing of precious metals. (The Royal Mint built and opened its precious metal recovery facility in Wales in August 2024 to extract gold from up to 4,000 tonnes a year of circuit boards sourced in the UK from electronics including phones, laptops and TVs. The Royal Mint's 886 fine jewelry line is made with god categorized as e-waste that it recovers from this facility.) Laurent Cartier, Ph.D., Head of Special Initiatives at the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), and co-founder of Sustainable Pearls, will moderate the panel Trust, Traceability, Transparency and participate in the panel discussion, What Does 'Precious' Mean Now? Moreover, an additional two dozen plus speakers from around the world will also be sharing their ideas and research at 'Eye on the Prize.'
Key Sponsors Of The IAC Gold + Diamonds Conference
As Dr. Koenigsberg detailed, 'We are honored to welcome this year's speakers who share their expertise, and have, for 15 years, worked with us to build community of thought, aspiration, and transformation. Additionally, we thank our many sponsors whose support allows us to work toward the goals we have set.' 'Eye on the Prize' sponsors include the World Gold Council, SCS Global Services, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Betts Metals, Sarine Technologies, Bulova, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Newmont, Rio Grande, Goldsmiths' Fair, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the Diamond Manufacturers and Importers Association of America (DMIA), Heritage Auctions, and the World Bank.
Awards For Jeweler Ute Decker And Sarine's David Block
In addition to the talks and panel discussions, the conference also features an awards ceremony on July 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Bohemian National Hall. During that evening, Initiatives in art and Culture's Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice in Jewelry will be given to artist jeweler Ute Decker, who is renowned for her early adoption and championing of Fairmined gold and recycled sterling silver, which she uses to create her precious pieces. An international authority on sustainable jewelry practices, Decker developed the world's largest free online resource for which can be found on ethicalmaking.org in partnership with The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and The Goldsmiths' Centre.
David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, will receive Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for ... More Extraordinary Contribution to the Diamond and Jewelry Industry.
David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies, will receive Initiatives in Art and Culture's Award for Extraordinary Contribution to the Diamond and Jewelry Industry. As Dr. Koenigsberg averred, 'Sarine's advancements in diamond traceability and data-driven transparency have played a critical role in modernizing the industry's infrastructure and in elevating consumer trust. The 'Eye on the Prize' honorees, she added, 'join a distinguished legacy of past recipients, whose courage, clarity, and commitment serve provide inspiration for the gold, diamond, colored gemstone and jewelry sectors in whose steps we hope they will follow.'
As Rachel Perks of The World Bank observed, 'Every year I'm inspired by the remarkable talent and wealth of cumulative knowledge present in the IAC Gold + Diamond conference room. This event offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with key change makers we might otherwise never meet.' For ticket information regarding IAC's Gold + Diamond conference, 'Eye on the Prize,' click on this link.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-international-gold-and-diamond-conference-tickets-1143172021289
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