Close Menu
Jewellery MonthlyJewellery Monthly
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Jewellery MonthlyJewellery Monthly
    • News
      • Industry News
      • Celebrities
      • Launches
    • Events
    • Insights
    • Consumer Education
      • Diamond Prices
    • About Us
    • Contact
    Thursday, May 29
    Jewellery MonthlyJewellery Monthly
    Home»Industry News»Melanie Grant Steps Down as Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council
    melanie c
    Industry News

    Melanie Grant Steps Down as Executive Director of the Responsible Jewellery Council

    Ruchi SinglaBy Ruchi Singla03/02/20254 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) has announced that Executive Director Melanie Grant is stepping down after two years in the role. 

    John Hall, who has been involved with the organisation since its inception in 2005, will serve as interim executive director while a search for Grant’s successor is conducted. Grant will remain temporarily as a consultant to assist with the transition.

    Leadership Transition at RJC

    Grant took over as executive director in January 2023, following a ten-month period without a permanent leader after the resignation of Iris Van der Veken. During her tenure, RJC membership grew from just under 1,700 to 2,000.

    Hall, a former executive at Rio Tinto and Signet Jewellers, previously served as interim executive director before Grant’s appointment and has extensive experience within the organisation and the industry. His interim leadership is expected to provide continuity as the RJC searches for a permanent replacement.

    Key Achievements and Industry Impact

    During her time at RJC, Grant oversaw the introduction of a standard for lab-grown materials, revisions to the Code of Practices and Chain of Custody standards, and changes to the organisation’s membership structure. These adjustments gave the RJC the ability to remove members that could bring it into disrepute, addressing previous difficulties in taking action over Alrosa’s membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That situation led to several high-profile brands, including Cartier, Pandora, and Kering’s jewellery brands, leaving the organisation.

    Reflecting on her tenure, Grant stated, “When I came in, the organisation was in a precarious position. Working with the team, we were able to get it back on its feet. We are approaching 2,000 members, which is a phenomenal number. So it’s good to go out on a high.”

    She also spoke about the challenges of sustainability in the jewellery industry, noting, “As much as we try and make sustainability simple, it isn’t. It’s a complex, ever-moving topic. Outside people say, ‘Why can’t it just happen fast?’ But it takes time to do it well.”

    Grant also commented on the role of lab-grown diamond standards, saying, “We felt that the lab industry should adhere to guidelines like everyone else, especially when it comes to claims, because every material has a footprint.”

    Looking Ahead

    Grant’s departure comes as the RJC prepares to mark its 20th anniversary. The organisation now has members across 74 countries, representing 60% of the global jewellery market.

    Over the past two years, Grant has also worked to improve industry collaboration. In 2023, the RJC partnered with Harvard University and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to hold the first State of the Art Jewellery Summit, an event focused on the future of responsible jewellery. Last year, the RJC worked with the Mineralogical & Geological Museum at Harvard University and GIA on JewelryArts24, a digital art competition exploring sustainability themes.

    In her comments on the challenges of implementing industry standards, Grant noted, “The RJC is like an iceberg. People see the standards at its heart but they don’t see the years of preparation and work behind it all. It takes time to get to grips with that depth and to understand why you can’t race through new standards and protocols.”

    She also emphasised the need to make ethical practices accessible, saying, “It’s essential that we continue to reach out and ensure RJC standards are accessible, that people can do what they can and get involved without feeling overwhelmed.”

    RJC Board Chair and Richline Group CEO Dave Meleski commented on her departure, saying, “While I am sorry for her to step down, I am thankful for all that she has accomplished in her two years as executive director of the organisation, and how she has transformed it positively into a much better place today than when she arrived.”

    Grant plans to continue working on industry projects in a consulting role and has upcoming commitments in jewellery education, including teaching at a yet-to-be-announced summer programme. She is also completing The Jewellery Book, a survey of jewellery from the past 200 years, set to be published by Phaidon in 2025.

    She commented on the wider industry landscape, stating, “AI will be a huge disruptor, and there again, we can’t be rushed—it’s something that will change the fabric of our reality. We’re also at a point where minerals are being politicised, where we need, more than ever, to come together around consensus. I expect the main trend for the months and years ahead to change itself.”

    The RJC now faces another leadership transition at a time when sustainability and responsible sourcing remain key concerns for the industry. The organisation’s ability to continue evolving its standards and engagement efforts will be closely watched.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Ruchi Singla

    Ruchi is our trusted breaking news reporter, keeping you informed about the latest trends, launches, and significant events as they unfold. With a commitment to accuracy and a passion for adding a layer of insight, Ruchi creates informative and engaging content that shines a light across the world of jewellery.

    Related Posts

    CIBJO President Dr Gaetano Cavalieri Receives ICA Lifetime Achievement Award

    23/05/2025

    Kimberley Process Moves Closer to Redefining ‘Conflict Diamonds’

    19/05/2025

    GIA Launches Free GemKit Educational Resource for Schools Globally

    15/05/2025

    De Beers Quietly Offers Discounted Rough Diamonds to Selected Clients

    15/05/2025

    Alrosa Recovers Russia’s Largest Gem-Quality Diamond at Reopened Mir Mine

    14/05/2025

    De Beers Group to Wind Down Lightbox Lab-Grown Diamond Business

    09/05/2025

    Jewellery industry news & insights delivered straight to your inbox

    Get the free 5-minute newsletter read by Jewellery Industry professionals who want to get ahead

    Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
    Your subscription has been successful.

    Explore

    • About
    • Contact

    Reach Our Audience

    • Advertise
    • Submit a press release
    • Submit an opinion piece

    Consumer Education

    • 4Cs of Diamonds
    • Diamond Price Chart

    Jewellery Monthly is part of Loupe Media Network

    Privacy policy | Terms of use | Cookie Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT