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Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Returns in 2025 with Brandee Dallow as Master of Ceremonies September 04, 2025 (0 comments)
Chicago, IL--The ninth annual Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJC) will take place October 17–18 at Film Row Cinema in downtown Chicago, bringing together global leaders dedicated to advancing a just, sustainable, and transparent jewelry industry. Jewelry industry advocate, Brandee Dallow, will serve as the new master of ceremonies.
[Brandee Dallow]
Dallow, an advocate and accomplished moderator, is said to be respected for her ability to engage audiences, facilitate meaningful discussions and amplify diverse perspectives. “Her leadership at CRJC 2025 is expected to enhance the quality of dialogue, ensuring sessions remain insightful, solution-oriented, and accessible,” according to a statement from the organization.
The conference, recognized for its integrity and its history of bringing critical, often overlooked issues to the forefront of the jewelry sector, will continue this tradition of leadership in 2025.
The program will feature panels addressing topics such as “Human Rights and Environmental Realities of Silver Mining,” a moderated discussion titled “Natural Diamonds and Community Futures: A Shared Goal of Benefaction” between representatives of natural diamonds and of the Kimberley Process Civil Society Coalition, as well as “Mine-to-Market Consequences of Undisclosed Synthetic Gemstones.”
Breakout sessions will provide opportunities for speed mentoring with leading voices in ethical jewelry—spanning retail, NGOs, suppliers, and jewelers—while sector-specific think tanks will foster collaborative, solution-driven dialogue.
[Susan Wheeler]
On October 16, the conference will host the "Responsible Gem Boutique," where attendees can connect directly with brands leading the way in responsible sourcing and explore traceable gemstones.
The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference is an initiative of the Responsible Jewelry Transformative (RJT), with all proceeds supporting RJT’s programs. RJT has delivered benefits to source communities and driven change across the jewelry industry and has implemented World Bank Grants.
The RJT supports sustainable livelihoods through initiatives like the “Marange Women’s Alliance” chicken coops in Zimbabwe, produces awareness projects that elevate the voices of source communities, spearheads the fight against sex trafficking in mining areas, and is advancing policies, awareness, and projects that ensure those at the very beginning of the supply chain are represented in shaping a more equitable future.
Conference founder, Susan Wheeler, will join Dallow in opening CRJC 2025, which is expected to bring together miners, designers, retailers, industry corporations, NGOs, activists, academics and trade organizations from around the globe.