MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USPolicies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down
An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
Melanie Grant is resigning as executive director of the Responsible Jewellery Council. John Hall will serve as interim executive director while the organization searches for a replacement. (Photo credit: Andrew Werner)
London—The Responsible Jewellery Council announced that after two years on the job, Executive Director Melanie Grant is leaving the organization.
The organization said she will stay on for a time as a consultant to support John Hall, who will serve as interim executive director while RJC searches for Grant’s successor.
Hall, an industry veteran who’s worked for Rio Tinto and Signet Jewelers, has been with RJC since its inception in 2005 and served as interim executive director from April 2022 to January 2023, after Iris Van der Veken left and before the organization hired Grant.
“While it has been an honor and a privilege to lead the RJC, I’m stepping down from ED into a part-time consulting role to enjoy some more personal time and pursue other projects,” Grant said in an email to National Jeweler.
“I’ve learned a lot, but I’ve promised myself a 2025 with a bit less on my plate.”
Related stories will be right here …
The organization said she will stay on for a time as a consultant to support John Hall, who will serve as interim executive director while RJC searches for Grant’s successor.
Hall, an industry veteran who’s worked for Rio Tinto and Signet Jewelers, has been with RJC since its inception in 2005 and served as interim executive director from April 2022 to January 2023, after Iris Van der Veken left and before the organization hired Grant.
“While it has been an honor and a privilege to lead the RJC, I’m stepping down from ED into a part-time consulting role to enjoy some more personal time and pursue other projects,” Grant said in an email to National Jeweler.
“I’ve learned a lot, but I’ve promised myself a 2025 with a bit less on my plate.”
Grant was named RJC executive director in January 2023.
A jewelry journalist and curator with more than 20 years’ experience, Grant has worked at The Financial Times, The Independent, The Guardian, the BBC, and The Economist, where she served as luxury editor of its sister publication, 1843 Magazine.
Her first book, “Coveted: Art and Innovation in High Jewellery,” was published in October 2020, and she was the curator of Sotheby’s groundbreaking “Brilliant & Black” selling exhibition in 2021 and 2022.
Grant won the Gem Award for Media Excellence in 2022.
“It is with mixed emotions that we announce Mel’s transition from her role at the RJC,” said Richline Group President and CEO Dave Meleski, who serves as RJC board chair.
“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 organization, and how she has transformed it positively into a much better place today than when she arrived … It has been my pleasure working with Mel this past year in my role as chair of the board.”
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
