b'And I think its going to be big- Theres enormous existing ger before this is done because infrastructure in some of these everythings going to take time to go back to normal. countries. They can accomplish Watching the toll the pan- a lot, whether its COVID demic has taken on the supplyZambian emerald response or trying to make change chain has some wondering whatand 18-karat gold in the longer term. I just want to keep earrings fromcan be done to protect it againstInonge Zita encouraging action, versus ignoring future crises.the problem or being overwhelmed by Dery says one option could be de- the problem. veloping cutting in source countries, Cristina Villegas, Pacta goal toward which some members of the international industry are al-ready working, to keep another stepcutters and the mining engineers, for example, to build the industry.in the supply chain there and provideI think if they had been talking to each other, they wouldve been more jobs.in a much better position actually to cope with COVID.Both Stephen and Sabbagh mention the importance of buildingAnd for Villegas, helping build programs on the ground and strong relationships and strategic partnerships to help get through aempowering local miners and associations can go a long way toward time when mobility is so limited. ensuring their success. For Mweene, the designer, the various jewelry industry sectors inTheres enormous existing infrastructure in some of these coun-Zambia need to start working together.tries, she says. They can accomplish a lot, whether its COVID She says when she first started her brand, she joined various indus- response or trying to make change in the longer term by looking at try bodies but found they didnt communicate enough.whats there, recognizing it and building upon it. In Africa, everyone operates in silos. Theres a need for an indus- I just want to keep encouraging action, versus ignoring the try body, she says, like Indias GJEPC, so the miners can talk to theproblem or being overwhelmed by the problem.Want a COPY OF Our CatalOG? Call 516.466.1826 or visitWhOlesale.samuelb .COmNATIONAL JEWELER 59wholesale.samuelb.commathew@samuelb.comtel: 1.516.466.1826'