Responsible Jewellery Council Explains Mission At HK Fair
September 29, 14In addition, the new CEO of the RJC, Ashish Deo, was introduced to industry representatives.
"The Hong Kong and China region is the most important manufacturing center for fine jewelry and is increasingly a very important consumer market. This makes it a crucial part of successfully building responsible and sustainable jewelry supply chains and business practices globally," the RJC said in a statement.
The event attracted more than 100 attendees, including senior leaders from the top three jewelry retailers in China, leading diamond producing company Alrosa, leading trade media, several current RJC members and many other jewelry industry businesses.
The RJC was represented by its chairman, James Courage, and vice chair, Charles Chaussepied, as well as Deo. Signet was represented by David Bouffard and David Gaynes. Benedict Sin, the chairman of the Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Manufacturers' Association (HKJJMA) and Victor Chan (the managing director of Continental Jewellery Exports) also joined the panel of speakers.
Courage outlined the RJC mission, what it means to be a member, how RJC supports members to become certified and the benefits of becoming a certified member.
Bouffard and Gaynes emphasized that Signet is a committed founding and certified member of the RJC and expected its suppliers to become certified members of the RJC over time as a part of meeting Signet’s corporate policy on ethical and responsible supply chains.
Chan provided insight into how the RJC certification program can help maintain and grow Hong Kong and Chinese businesses in the U.S. and European markets. Sin endorsed the benefits RJC brings to the wider jewelry industry and specifically to the Hong Kong manufacturing and export sectors.
Chaussepied closed the session outlining how important safeguarding the reputation is for luxury brands, since customers buy them primarily for emotional reasons. He also said that RJC is the ideal vehicle for implementing best practices in the industry so brand reputation can be protected effectively.