Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2023
IGI Partners with Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 Policies & IssuesSep 12, 2023
Pure Earth Honors Iris Van der Veken
The nonprofit is presenting the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award to Van der Veken to recognize her environmental advocacy.
Pure Earth will present the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award to Iris Van der Veken, secretary general of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, at a ceremony in New York City this fall.
New York—Pure Earth is recognizing industry veteran Iris Van der Veken for her environmental advocacy.
The nonprofit works to address the causes of lead and mercury pollution and exposure.
It has chosen Van der Veken as the recipient of the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award, which is presented to “outstanding champions in climate protection, human rights and gender.”
She will be honored in a ceremony at the Pure Earth Benefit on Oct. 16 in New York City.
Van der Veken, formerly the head of the Responsible Jewellery Council, is the secretary general of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative (WJI) 2030.
Founded in 2021 by Kering and Cartier, the group focuses on creating a more sustainable watch and jewelry industry.
“Iris has been at the forefront of ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] reporting and United Nations Global Compact network for two decades and was the first woman to successfully lead the Responsible Jewellery Council,” said Pure Earth President Richard Fuller.
“Van der Veken can rightly be called a trailblazer, a champion, in the industry. She has started a movement that will save the lives of so many people in the watch and jewelry supply chain.”
Related stories will be right here …
The nonprofit works to address the causes of lead and mercury pollution and exposure.
It has chosen Van der Veken as the recipient of the 2023 Pure Earth Impact Award, which is presented to “outstanding champions in climate protection, human rights and gender.”
She will be honored in a ceremony at the Pure Earth Benefit on Oct. 16 in New York City.
Van der Veken, formerly the head of the Responsible Jewellery Council, is the secretary general of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative (WJI) 2030.
Founded in 2021 by Kering and Cartier, the group focuses on creating a more sustainable watch and jewelry industry.
“Iris has been at the forefront of ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] reporting and United Nations Global Compact network for two decades and was the first woman to successfully lead the Responsible Jewellery Council,” said Pure Earth President Richard Fuller.
“Van der Veken can rightly be called a trailblazer, a champion, in the industry. She has started a movement that will save the lives of so many people in the watch and jewelry supply chain.”
The watch and jewelry industries participation in Pure Earth’s cause is vital to eliminating mercury pollution and poisoning, said Pure Earth, noting that much of the mercury in the environment comes from artisanal and small-scale gold mining, which supplies about a quarter of the world's gold.
Mercury contaminates rivers and oceans, as well as fish, which can affect the global food chain, said the organization.
The nonprofit has been working with the jewelry industry to train miners in mercury-free techniques.
“I am deeply honored to receive this Impact award from Pure Earth,” said Van der Veken.
“The jewelry industry is an important part of the climate solution and the work Pure Earth is doing to reduce global mercury emissions by championing responsible, mercury-free gold mining practices, that includes the reforestation of damaged land. We all have a shared responsibility in leaving no one behind.”
Sustainability is a journey, said Van der Veken, and requires corporate leadership advocacy and a level of involvement throughout the supply chain to make a positive impact.
“I would like to dedicate this award to everyone in our industry, from mining to retail, that advances the 2030 agenda forward,” she said.
Previous winners of this award include Beth Gerstein, the co-founder and CEO Brilliant Earth, which is working with the nonprofit to test and establish the first mercury-free gold supply chain from the Peruvian Amazon.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
