The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and Platinum Guild International (PGI) have ended their commercial involvement with the upcoming Jewellery Industry Fair, severing ties with its organiser, Laura Moore’s Jewellery Industry Network. Both decisions mark a break from their prior support, which had included endorsements, speaking roles, and collaborative initiatives.
Platinum Guild’s exit from Australia
PGI, the global marketing association for platinum producers, had originally planned to participate in the Sydney edition of the fair this month. Its head of global business development, Philip Romans, was scheduled to deliver a guest presentation. The organisation had also partnered with Jewellery Industry Network in April to introduce the Certified Jewellery Professional (CJP) program in Australia, describing it as a significant advancement for industry training.
By June, PGI reversed its position. In a statement to Jeweller, Zhenzhen Liu, the director of global corporate marketing, confirmed the cancellation. “PGI therefore has no ongoing commercial relationship with Jewellery Industry Network or any other Australian jewellery industry bodies,” she said.
When asked about the reasons behind the withdrawal, Liu did not provide further details. The move follows controversy surrounding two of Jewellery Industry Network’s founding directors, though PGI declined to specify whether due diligence was conducted before the partnership. Liu also clarified that PGI is not obligated to seek approval from the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) before entering commercial agreements.
The CJP program, which offers a 35% discount for Jewellery Industry Network members, remains listed on the Jewellery World website. Meanwhile, PGI’s seminar details and Romans’ photo have been removed from the fair’s official platform.
RJC’s withdrawal under new leadership
The RJC’s decision follows a similar pattern. Under its new executive director, Purvi Shah, the organisation has withdrawn from the fair. Previously, the RJC’s interim director, John Hall, had endorsed the event, speaking on ethical sourcing and compliance. However, Shah, who assumed leadership in late 2023, has made “trust and credibility” her top priorities.
“The RJC participates in a number of events worldwide to support our membership and to reach prospective members,” Shah said.
These issues aside, Shah explained, “The RJC will not be present at their [Moore’s] upcoming event.” The RJC was established in 2005 to promote ethical, social, and environmental practices across the watch and jewellery supply chain as a self-described ‘world-leading standards-setting’ organisation.
The departures of both the RJC and PGI raise questions about the fair’s future. These organisations had been among its most prominent supporters, and their exit could indicate deeper challenges for the event’s credibility. For now, attention remains on why two major industry bodies chose to withdraw—and what this means for the fair’s remaining participants.
Unresolved ties and lingering questions
Despite the cancellations, remnants of the RJC and PGI’s past collaborations remain. The CJP program, which PGI had promoted alongside Jewellery Industry Network, is still operational. The initiative continues to offer a 35% discount to network members, though PGI has cut all commercial ties with the organisation.
