The Council
The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international, not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry by advancing responsible business practices throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain.
The Council aims to build 'a community of confidence' across every step of the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain in all geographies, and among businesses large and small. It seeks to work with a wide range of stakeholders in defining and implementing responsible jewellery practices through the RJC's certification system.
Membership opportunity is open to all businesses and associations participating in the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain and / or engaged in activities that have a potential impact on consumer confidence in diamond or gold jewellery.
Mission
"To advance responsible ethical, social and environmental practices, which respect human rights, throughout the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain, from mine to retail."
Vision
“Our vision is to increase consumer confidence in diamond and gold jewellery. We will accomplish our vision through the successful implementation of a system for certification of responsible business practices that is widely recognised and valued by our stakeholders. The certification system will cover a significant volume of global diamond and gold jewellery production, resulting in the improvement of business practices in the diamond and gold jewellery supply chain, and provide a community of confidence among our Members.”
Policies
Anti-trust Policy and Rules
The Council takes all of its legal obligations, including those imposed by competition law, extremely seriously. The Council has adopted Anti-trust Policy and Rules which seek to ensure that the Council and its Members are aware of their competition law obligations and at all times act in accordance with all applicable competition rules. Council Members are required to abide by the Anti-trust Compliance Rules as a condition of Membership.
Confidentiality Policy
The Responsible Jewellery Council places a high priority on the protection of confidential information in order to protect the privacy of its Members and employees, and the integrity of the Council. Click here to download the RJC Confidentiality Policy.
Environmental Policy
The Responsible Jewellery Council is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. As well as the commitment of Council Members to environmental performance through the RJC Principles and Code of Practices, the Council seeks to address environmental issues in its own activities. Click here to download the RJC Environmental Policy.
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History and Legal Status
In 2005, a group of 14 organisations from a cross section of the diamond and gold jewellery business came together to form the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices. These founding organisations were ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier (part of Richemont), World Jewellery Confederation, Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers), Diarough, Jewelers of America, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corporation.
In May 2006, the Council held its first Annual General Meeting in London, UK, formalising the Council’s governance structure and processes. Council AGMs have continued to be held in May each year.
In October 2008, the Council adopted the trading name of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
The Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices is a private company limited by guarantee with no share capital under the UK Companies Act. It is registered in England and Wales with company number 05449042.
Download the CRJP Articles of Association
Governance
The Council is governed by a Board of Directors, supported by a number of Committees. The current Officers of the Council are:
- Chairman: Matt Runci – Jewelers of America
- Vice-Chairman: John Hall – Rio Tinto Diamonds
- Honorary Secretary: Mark Jenkins – Signet plc
- Honorary Treasurer: James Suzman – De Beers Group
The Members of the Board of Directors are:
- Ait-Hocine, Nawal – Metalor Technologies SA
- Allchin, Michael – Birmingham Assay Office
- Baker, Donna – Gemological Institute of America
- Batson, Ruth – American Gem Society
- Bonas, Charles – Bonas & Co. Ltd.
- Burman, Terry – Signet Group plc
- Cox , Bruce – Rio Tinto
- Cunningham, Vicki – H.Cunningham Fine Jewelry Inc
- Fornas, Bernard – Cartier
- Goldberg, Neal – Zale Corporation
- Hall, John – Rio Tinto
- Hoare, Michael – National Association of Goldsmiths
- Jenkins, Mark – Signet Group plc
- Kowalski, Mike – Tiffany & Co.
- Leopold-Metzger, Phillipe – Piaget
- Lussier, Stephen – De Beers Group
- Mehta, Dilip – Rosy Blue NV
- Mehta, Rajiv – Dimexon Diamonds Ltd
- Parikh, Sonu – Diarough NV
- Pinet-Cuoq, Bernadette - Union Française BJOP
- Runci, Matt – Jewelers of America
- Ryder, Chris – BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc
- Simelane, Yedwa – AngloGold Ashanti Limited
- Suzman, James – De Beers Group
The current Committee Chairs are:
- Executive Committee: Matt Runci (Jewelers of America)
- Standards Committee - Co-Chairs:
Rob Headley (Jewelers of America) and Mick Roche (BHP Billiton) - Communications Committee: John Hall (Rio Tinto Diamonds)
- Membership Committee: Pamela Caillens (Cartier)
- Legal Committee: Mark Jenkins (Signet plc)
- People Committee: Geoff Field (British Jewellers Association)
- Finance Committee: Ruth Batson – American Gem Society
- Accreditation and Training Committee: Gérard Satre (Chanel)
The executive functions and day-to-day management of the Council are carried out by the RJC Management Team.
Management Team
Michael Rae
Chief Executive Officer
Michael Rae is the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practice's Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Michael worked for almost 17 years with WWF (formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund), leading WWF's international work on mining. Michael led the WWF Mining Certification Evaluation Project and has been a member of several global mining and minerals initiatives, including the IUCN Working Group on Extractive Industry and Biodiversity and the IUCN/International Council on Mining and Metals Advisory Group and the Working Group for the GRI Mining and Metals Sector Supplement.
Michael is a board member of the International Cyanide Management Institute.
As CEO, Michael is responsible for the overall management and direction of the Council as well as acting as the Council's key spokesperson. Michael reports directly to the Board of the Council.
Catherine Sproule
Chief Operating Officer
Catherine Sproule joined the organisation as Director, North American Operations in November, 2006 and took on the role of Chief Operations Officer in November 2007. Catherine is the primary representative of the RJC Management Team in North America, with the key tasks of establishing and maintaining the organisation’s relationships with members and stakeholders in Canada and the United States. In addition, she is responsible for the management of RJC’s global finances and administration.
Catherine has a wide range of jewellery industry experience. In her most recent role as executive director of Canada’s jewellery trade association, she played a lead role in representing the association’s efforts in the mining and government sectors in Canada. She also built a profile for the Canadian jewellery market in the inter-national arena. Additionally, Catherine was the Canadian PR Director for the Diamond Trading Company’s Diamond Information Centre. She has also held the role of Senior Director, Communications, with Canada’s national television broadcaster, CBC.
Fiona Solomon
Standards Development Director
Fiona joined the Council in October 2007, based in Melbourne. Her role is to oversee the design of the RJC Certification system, including standards, guidance and resources for Members, as well as the implementation requirements of the system. She is working with a range of stakeholders to achieve this goal, with a view to continual improvement of the system in the coming years of operation.
Prior to joining the RJC, Fiona led a small team of researchers focused on social and sustainability issues of the minerals industry at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for more than ten years. She was seconded to WWF to project manage the Mining Certification Evaluation Project during 2002-2004. She has authored and contributed to many reports and publications on social and ethical accountability and sustainable development in the mining industry, and in technology governance more generally.
Fiona has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons 1) and a PhD in philosophy of technology both from the University of Queensland, Australia. She has also completed postgraduate subjects in international political economy and global environmental politics at the University of Melbourne.
Mila Bonini
Communications Manager
Mila Bonini joined the organisation as Communications Manager on December 1st, 2008. She is responsible for the development and execution of the Council’s communications and public relations efforts. She communicates those efforts to the Council’s membership, industry stakeholders, non-industry stakeholders (such as non-governmental organizations), trade and consumer media. Additionally, she is responsible for the development and execution of the Council’s support materials and services including; newsletter, website content, news releases. She also coordinates the media efforts for the Council and is in charge to maintain and enhance the Council’s brand identity.
In her most recent role she held the senior administrative/ communications role with the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) for seven years. She was the primary contact for CIBJO’s membership communications, coordinator of enquires and was the exclusive liaison for the Confederation’s annual Congress. She contributed to the achievement of CIBJO’s Special Consultative Status granted by the United Nations, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
In her previous career she has been involved in the trade and fashion shows, organizing trade fair exhibitions, social events and pharmaceutical conferences internationally.
Anna Leach
Administrative Manager
Anna Leach joined the RJC as its new Administrative Services Coordinator on August 14th, 2009. In her new role, Anna is responsible for the daily administrative support to the Council and is the primary contact for the RJC Members and public inquiries.
In her previous career, Anna worked for Millennium Hotels & Resorts New Zealand, a global hotel company that operates over 100 hotels around the world including over 30 hotels in New Zealand. Anna’s work revolved around reviewing and reporting financial performance, implementing policies & procedures, quality control and leading project work. Her most recent project was implementing Environmental & Sustainability Practices throughout the Group. With a strong interest in Fair Trade, Anna has previously undertaken voluntary work for Trade Aid New Zealand who are importers, wholesalers & retailers of fair trade products.
With over ten years in the travel and tourism industry combined with a Diploma in Business Technology, Anna has developed extensive industry knowledge along with strong administration skills.