JCK has announced the nine organizations that will receive 2024 JCK Industry Fund grants, totaling $341,000.

“In our ongoing commitment to the industry, spanning the past 25 years, we are continuing to champion the pivotal endeavors of the organizations that are advancing our industry’s interests,” said Sarin Bachmann, jewelry group vice president for RX (parent company of JCK) and chair of the JCK Industry Fund Committee, in a statement. “From consumer confidence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), to spearheading sustainability initiatives and beyond, the JCK Industry Fund remains steadfast in its support.”

Grant recipients for 2024 are:

• Black in Jewelry Coalition, for its emerging designer participation at JCK’s 2024 and 2025 shows
• Diamonds Do Good, for its consumer confidence broadcast campaigns and targeted media distribution to drive consumers to buy diamonds.
• Gem Legacy, to aid in increasing socioeconomic and ethnic diversity in higher education within artisanal mining regions.
• Jewelers Security Alliance (JSA) for its advanced software, including i2 Analysts Notebook, LexisNexis Accurint for Law Enforcement, and TLOxp, a database containing personal information used by private investigators and law enforcement.
• Jewelers Vigilance Committee, for the creation of ADA compliance guides for industry members.
• Mercury Free Mining for the scaling of its Goldrop technology and its work toward a responsible gold supply chain, as far as sustainable, mercury-free mining and community empowerment in artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas.
• MJSA, for its mentor/apprenticeship program, which addresses the labor shortage of bench jewelers, and for the development of training and information that will be made available throughout the industry as well as to trade schools and community colleges.
• Pure Earth, for its workshop that raises awareness about the harmful effects of mercury and the benefits of alternative technology for mercury-free gold extraction.
• Women’s Jewelry Association, to support its “Generating Community Impact” breakfast event at JCK Las Vegas (Friday, May 31), which will focus on increasing the industry’s diversity and inclusion, specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

To date, the JCK Industry Fund has awarded over $7 million in program grants. Total grant money awarded for 2024 increased from 2023. Grants are funded primarily by JCK, with additional support from JCK exhibitors and attendees who donate.

“We want to express our gratitude to the JCK community whose contributions have propelled the fund’s growth and commend the 2024 grant recipients,” Bachmann said.

Serving on the committee with her were Lisa Bridge. president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jewelry; John Green, president and CEO of Lux Bond & Green; Michael Lerche, president of Goldstar Jewellery; Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian; and Roger Forman, president of Marathon Company.

Read more about this year’s grant winners here; for information about the JCK Industry Fund and to donate, visit lasvegas.jckonline.com.

 

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