(IDEX Online) - Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) Executive Director Andrew Bone will be stepping down as of 27 March, the RJC announced.
Bone has been Executive Director since the spring of 2015. Under his leadership, the RJC's membership has doubled and the organization laid the foundations for sustainable growth in the future, according to a statement.
"It has been a pleasure and a rare privilege to have served this unique organization as Executive Director," said Bone. "We have undertaken the review of our standards and laid the ground for the inclusion of colored gems and silver. In addition, we have grown the management team and provided them with the resources to build on past success as we look ahead to a successful future."
Prior to serving as RJC Executive Director, Bone had a long career at De Beers.
David Bouffard, Chair of the Responsible Jewellery Council, said: "We are grateful for Andrew's leadership at the Responsible Jewellery Council in supporting the continuous improvement in the integrity of the global jewelry supply chain. His vision has further established the Responsible Jewellery Council as the standards and certification organization for the global jewelry industry. The Board offers our sincere thanks to Andrew for his commitment and service."
The RJC added that its Board of Directors has begun a global search to identify the best possible successor and to ensure a smooth transition.