The JCK Industry Fund committee announced today that recipients of its 2021 grants will be awarded a total of over $253,750, for both traditional fund submissions and its new Diversity and Inclusivity grant.

“Coming out of a difficult and challenging year, it was important to the JCK Industry Fund committee to support our industry and the organizations that help move it forward,” said Yancy Weinrich, chief growth officer for Reed Exhibitions, in a statement. “The 2021 recipients comprise eight organizations that serve the jewelry and watch industries who will apply their JCK Industry Funds to initiatives that range from ethical sourcing, heightening consumer confidence, safety, diversity, and inclusion.”

The 2021 Industry Fund Grant recipients are as follows:

• Diamonds Do Good (DDG)

• Gem Legacy

• International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA)

• Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA)

• Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC)

• Mercury Free Mining (MFM)

• Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA)

The 2021 JCK Industry Fund Diversity and Inclusivity grant recipient is the Black in Jewelry Coalition. The grant was newly introduced in an effort to support greater inclusion in the industry.

This year’s grant recipients—who have received monies in the first quarter of 2021 to advance their specific products that will serve the industry as a whole—were chosen by the JCK Industry Fund committee based on criteria including: the improvement of commerce and the image of the jewelry industry in the eyes of the consumer; aiding in addressing serious challenges faced within the jewelry industry; and assisting in developing educational content that can make a profound impact on the jewelry industry, consumers, and inclusion.

Donations for this year’s and previous year’s grants are funded largely through donations from JCK exhibitors and attendees and from the industry at large. For 2021, De Beers Group contributed special funding in support of the new Diversity and Inclusivity grant.

“In a year without the JCK show to provide additional funding through the generous donations of our exhibitors and attendees, we are proud that JCK could continue to support at our same level initiatives that will offer the most sustainable impact to improve the growth and health of the industry at large,” said Sarin Bachmann, group vice president for Reed Jewelry Group, in a statement. “The JCK Industry Fund can achieve the biggest impact for the industry when individuals and partners contribute to its mission of offering impactful support by donating at our website when registering to attend the show and through the JCK show participation. With the industry’s help we can give back more each year, and the JCK Industry Fund will continue to foster an industry that has given so much to so many through the years, in challenging times or not.”

The JCK Industry Fund Committee consists of Yancy Weinrich (chief growth officer, Reed Exhibitions USA); John Green (president & CEO, Lux Bond & Green); Eddie Le Vian (CEO, Le Vian); Michael Lerche (president, Goldstar Jewellery); Sam Sandberg (chairman, A. Jaffe); and Sarin Bachmann (group vice president, Reed Jewelry Group).

For more information and to donate, visit lasvegas.jckonline/com/en-us/landing-pages/jck-industry-fund.html.

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