Kering Joins Exodus from RJC

RAPAPORT... Kering has withdrawn its brands from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) in protest at the organization's handling of the Russia crisis.Jewelry labels Boucheron, Pomellato and Qeelin have left the organization, as has Gucci, a spokesperson for Pomellato said Tuesday in an email to Rapaport News. Giorgio Bodei, Pomellato's director of production and planning, has resigned from the RJC board.The RJC had shown an "inability to face the current situation in Europe in a way that is consistent with Kering's corporate values," the spokesperson claimed. The standards group has received criticism for not removing Alrosa when Russia invaded Ukraine. The miner voluntarily suspended its membership last week."Kering does not want to be associated in any way with business practices that contribute to an endorsement of war," the spokesperson commented.The resignations coincided with the Watches and Wonders show in Geneva, at which Kering and Cartier, a Richemont-owned brand, announced an expansion of their sustainability program, the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030.Richemont, LVMH, Watches of Switzerland and Pandora have all stood down from the RJC or from their board positions over the Russia issue. RJC executive director Iris Van der Veken has also resigned.Image: A sign outside a Pomellato store in London. (Shutterstock)