Diamond Industry Organizations: The US Jewelry Council

The United States Jewelry Council (USJC) was formed with the goal of representing the US jewelry trade on issues related to responsible and sustainable sourcing on the national and international levels.

Formed in 2015, USJC represents the vast majority of the US jewelry industry, encompassing importers, manufacturers, and retailers. The nine founding organizations decided on the move when they realized they would have greater influence in dealing with challenges facing the U.S. jewelry industry if they operated together. By combining their expertise, the USJC members work together to address key topics such as social, ethical, and environmental issues that might impact consumer confidence in the local jewelry industry.

USJC’s main goal is to work more closely together on ensuring the U.S. jewelry industry is collectively represented when dealing with the US government and on international forums. One way of achieving this is through the World Diamond Council (WDC). Upon its formation, the council became a member of the WDC. Within this organization, the Council works to enhance the US jewelry industry’s voice in the Kimberley Process.

In addition, the USJC intends to be more effective in dealing with ethical and environmental issues, as well as looks to influence other global initiatives which it views as one of the key topics impacting the U.S. jewelry consumer market. One avenue for doing so is through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which is tied closely to consumer confidence in the US and other consumer markets.

In its list of principles, the Council lists the following:

·         To promote and represent the interests of its member associations that together represent the United States jewelry business, both in the United States and internationally;

·         To maintain and enhance consumer confidence in the United States in the integrity and origins of jewelry;

·         To promote responsible business ethics and practices through cooperation between the Council's members and through engagement with key stakeholders;

·         To coordinate information sharing, action plan development, PR responses, website development on all aspects of the U.S. diamond and jewelry industry that have ethical dimensions among the members; such as human rights, conflict minerals, ethical sourcing, artisanal mining and environmental malpractice; and

·         To carry on any trade or business, to engage in any activity and to do all other things as are conducive, directly or indirectly, to the attainment of the above mentioned purposes.

The organization currently has 13 members:

American Gem Society, American Gem Trade Association, Cultured Pearl Association of America, Diamond Bourse of Southeast United States, Diamond Council of America, Diamond Club West Coast, Diamond Dealers Club of New York, Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America, Indian Diamond and Colored Stone Association, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Vigilance Committee,  Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, Natural Color Diamond Association, The Plumb Club,  Silver Promotion Service.