The International Colored Gemstone Association’s (ICA) humanitarian project, Gems Keep Giving (GKG), has been reorganized, with a new board and head. GKG is a non-profit organization that assists artisanal colored gemstone mining and cutting groups.
Hayley Henning (Chair), Damien Cody, Clement Sabbagh, Ruth Benjamin-Thomas, Brian Cook, Rocco Gay, Cecilia Gardner, Robert Weldon, and Henry Ho make up the newly constituted board of directors.
“Our illustrious board members are seasoned professionals from all facets of our industry,” stated Hayley Henning, GKG Chair. “We intend to gather funding to assist underserved communities that mine and cut colored gemstones. Gems Keep Giving began as an ICA program, and we will use our contacts within the ICA to benefit the communities that produce our industry.”
The coloured gemstone supply chain differs from the diamond business. The majority of colored gemstones are mined by artisanal miners all over the world, typically in severe economic, political, social, and infrastructure situations.
“The international gemstone industry and trade fully depend on these mining communities,” Henning told me. “Without them, we would not have jewels! All parties have a vested interest in ensuring that these communities thrive for future generations. Gems Keep Giving provides firms in our industry and across the supply chain with an opportunity and a platform to contribute to their well-being while keeping in mind the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Henning remarked.
Each grant application will be reviewed on its own merits after being submitted to the Gems Keep Giving website or through direct contact with members of the affected communities. With the restructure, Gems Keep Giving intends to broaden its reach and solicit contributions from socially aware industry leaders, corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors.