The International Colored Gemstone Association’s (ICA) charitable initiative, Gems Keep Giving (GKG), has been reorganised with a new board and chair. GKG is a non-profit organisation that supports artisanal coloured gemstone mining and cutting communities.
The newly appointed board includes Hayley Henning (Chair), Damien Cody, Clement Sabbagh, Ruth Benjamin-Thomas, Brian Cook, Rocco Gay, Cecilia Gardner, Robert Weldon, and Henry Ho.
“Our illustrious board members are seasoned professionals from all facets of our industry,” said Hayley Henning, Chair of GKG. “We plan to raise funds to help coloured gemstone mining and cutting communities in need. Gems Keep Giving started as an ICA initiative, and we’ll use our connections within the ICA to support the communities that supply our industry.”
The coloured gemstone supply chain is different from the diamond industry. Most coloured gemstones come from artisanal miners around the world, often in areas with difficult economic, political, social, and infrastructural conditions.
“The international gemstone industry and trade fully depend on these mining communities,” said Henning. “Without them, we wouldn’t have gemstones! It’s in the interest of all stakeholders to support these communities so they can thrive for future generations. Gems Keep Giving offers businesses in our industry, across the supply chain, an opportunity and a platform to contribute towards their well-being, bearing in mind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as set out by the United Nations,” Henning stated.
Each application for funding will be considered on its merits after submission to the Gems Keep Giving website or through direct contact with members of the affected communities. With the restructuring, Gems Keep Giving hopes to expand its reach and attract contributions from socially conscious industry members, corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors.