“Sustainable Jewellery Day” Brings Global Industry Leaders to Pforzheim

Germany strengthens its role in shaping the industry’s sustainability dialogue

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As the jewellery and watch industry faces growing expectations around transparency, responsible sourcing and supply chain resilience, Germany is increasingly positioning itself as a platform for international industry dialogue.

A visible example of this development is the second Sustainable Jewellery Day, organized by the German Federal Association of the Jewellery, Watches, Silverware and Related Industries (BVSU), which will take place on July 8 in Pforzheim.

In just a short period of time, the event has evolved from a national initiative into an internationally relevant forum addressing some of the most pressing topics facing the industry today. Rather than focusing solely on sustainability in the traditional sense, the conference explores the broader implications of transparency, traceability, responsible sourcing and the future of global supply chains.

International expertise in Pforzheim

The growing importance of the event is reflected in its speaker line-up. Confirmed participants include Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation, Iris van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, and Purvi Shah, Head of Ethical and Sustainable Value Chains at the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

Additional perspectives will be provided by Mahiar Borhanjoo of the De Beers Group, Johanna Levy of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and Eduard Stefanescu of C. Hafner, one of Germany’s leading precious metals specialists. Together with representatives from industry, certification bodies and sustainability initiatives, they will explore topics ranging from responsible sourcing and traceability to international standards and the future of transparent supply chains.

Learn more about Sustainable Jewellery Day on July 8, 2026, in Pforzheim: https://sustainable-jewellery.com/

Beyond sustainability

What distinguishes the Sustainable Jewellery Day is its broad understanding of sustainability.

The growing focus on transparency, responsible sourcing and recycled precious metals is not driven by regulation alone. It also reflects a broader transformation that has been visible across the luxury sector for several years.

Luxury is no longer defined solely by rarity, craftsmanship and material value. Increasingly, consumers are interested in the story behind a product, including where materials come from, how they are sourced and whether supply chains can be verified.

For brands and manufacturers, this means that value creation is becoming more multifaceted. Design excellence, craftsmanship and product quality remain essential, but transparency, credibility and responsible sourcing are becoming increasingly important parts of the overall value proposition.

In this context, discussions about traceability, recycled precious metals and supply chain transparency are no longer simply sustainability issues. They are becoming part of how brands define and communicate value in a changing luxury landscape.

Pforzheim as a centre for industry dialogue

For the BVSU, the event demonstrates a clear commitment to fostering international exchange and helping the industry navigate a rapidly changing environment.

As one of Europe’s historic centres of jewellery manufacturing, Pforzheim provides a fitting backdrop for these discussions. More importantly, the conference highlights the growing role of Germany as a meeting point for conversations that extend far beyond national borders.

By bringing together leading international organizations, industry experts and decision-makers, the BVSU is helping to create a framework for dialogue on some of the most important challenges facing the jewellery and watch industry today.

Looking ahead

The second Sustainable Jewellery Day demonstrates how quickly sustainability-related topics have moved from the margins to the centre of industry discussions.

More importantly, it highlights the growing role of the BVSU in facilitating those conversations. By assembling influential voices from organizations such as CIBJO, the Responsible Jewellery Council, the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, De Beers, GIA and C. Hafner, the association is creating a platform that contributes to shaping the future direction of the jewellery and watch industry.

As transparency, responsible sourcing and traceability continue to gain importance, initiatives such as the Sustainable Jewellery Day are likely to play an increasingly important role in connecting stakeholders and advancing the industry’s collective response to these challenges.